https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/lundintoppar-riskerar-langa-fangelsestraff

English translation:

The prosecutor is seeking sentences of ten and six years, respectively, for Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter for aiding and abetting gross crimes against international law in Sudan in the Lundin Oil case.

"This involves participation over a long period, through several sub-stages, and complicity in crimes against civilians where a great many civilians had their lives completely destroyed in the company's and the defendants' pursuit of profit," prosecutor Henrik Attorps said during closing arguments in the Stockholm District Court on Thursday.

He is also requesting that both men be taken into custody when the verdict is announced.

Lundin and Schneiter, the former chairman and CEO of Lundin Oil respectively, are suspected of aiding and abetting gross crimes against international law in southern Sudan from 1999 to 2003, during the time the Swedish company was active in the civil war-torn country.

People were displaced

According to the indictment, they were aware of and contributed to the military and regime-aligned militias killing and displacing people to create the necessary conditions for the company's oil exploration in an area that had long been controlled by rebels.

The offensives, which were intended among other things to enable the construction of new roads, were carried out from 1999 to March 2003, according to the investigation. In connection with this, the military and militias committed gross crimes against international law (war crimes).

Civilians were reportedly subjected to airstrikes, fired upon from helicopters, and stabbed or shot to death by soldiers. Furthermore, homes and healthcare facilities were looted and burned down, according to the charges.

Prosecutors argue that the company executives contributed by entering into agreements with and making demands on the regime, which meant the military needed to create the conditions for the company to operate in those areas. These demands, the prosecutors claim, were made with the knowledge that the warfare constituted crimes against international law.

Questioning war crimes

Both Ian Lundin and Alexander Schneiter deny any wrongdoing. The defense has, among other things, denied that the company and the regime had the alleged relationship and questions whether war crimes were committed in the manner shown by the investigation.

However, the prosecutor maintains that the defense's objections lack support in what has been presented in court.

"When we look at the evidence and the defendants' statements, the conclusion is that the prosecution's case is proven in its entirety," he said.

The trial has been ongoing since September 2023 and is expected to conclude in May.

#Sweden #LundinOil #CrimesAgainstHumanity #crime #trial #WarCrimes #Sudan