A businesswoman known as the “Queen of Waste” has been brought to trial in Sweden, accused of illegally dumping over 200,000 tons of waste in what is considered the country’s largest environmental crime case.
Bella Nilsson, one of 11 defendants in the case of “serious environmental crimes,” was the CEO of NMT Think Pink, a waste management company accused of dumping or burying 200,000 tons of waste at 21 locations between 2015 and 2020.
Nilsson, who has since changed her name to Fariba Vancore, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, another former CEO, have denied the charges. Nilsson faces charges of serious environmental crimes and serious financial crimes linked to the company. Other defendants face multiple charges, including serious environmental crimes, serious financial crimes, aiding and abetting environmental crimes, and general environmental offenses.
Nilsson declined to answer reporters’ questions as she entered Attunda District Court, north of Stockholm. Prosecutors argue that improper waste management by the company led to the release of hazardous levels of carcinogenic chemicals, lead, arsenic, and mercury into the air, soil, and water.
A 50,000-page police investigation found dangerous amounts of arsenic, dioxins, zinc, lead, copper, and petroleum products. Several waste sites caught fire, with one near a nature reserve burning for two months after the waste self-ignited.
According to the indictment covering 15 municipalities, the main suspects were involved in transporting thousands of tons of unsorted construction and demolition waste, which was then buried, wrapped in plastic bundles, and dumped together.
Think Pink was hired by construction companies, municipalities, and individuals to dispose of various waste materials, including construction debris, electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tires, and toys. However, the company allegedly failed to properly sort or manage the waste, instead dumping it illegally.
Nilsson had previously told Swedish media that her company operated legally. Prosecutors claim that NMT Think Pink, which went bankrupt in 2020, and Bella Nilsson, who was arrested, had neither the intention nor the capability to manage waste according to environmental laws. They argue that the illegal dumping posed serious threats to human health, wildlife, and plants.
All 11 defendants have denied the charges, including Thomas Nilsson, Bella Nilsson’s ex-husband. His lawyer argues that, as CEO before 2015, he was not responsible at the time of the alleged offenses.
Source: The Guardian
CR. Thairath
