Anna Hartz
Six Years in Prison for Swedish Businesswoman in Toxic Waste Dumping Case
Environmental concerns have been growing across Europe in recent years.
From wildfires and heatwaves to polluted waterways and toxic waste, the pressure on governments to hold polluters accountable is stronger than ever.
Now, Sweden has wrapped up the largest environmental crime case in its history. And it ended with a prison sentence for a woman once known as the “trash queen”, according to Digi24.
19 Dumping Sites
Fariba Vancor, a Swedish entrepreneur and former head of the waste company Think Pink, was sentenced to six years in prison this week.
She was found guilty of illegally dumping massive amounts of toxic waste across Sweden. Her company took in waste from construction firms, local councils, and private customers.
But instead of handling it properly, the waste was dumped in large piles at 19 different sites.
Vancor, who used to go by the name Bella Nilsson, was convicted of 19 serious environmental crimes. Her ex-husband, Thomas Nilsson, was also sentenced.
He received three years and six months for his role in the operation. In total, 11 people were charged. Only one was acquitted.
Serious Health Risks
Judge Niklas Schüllerqvist said the waste dumping posed serious risks to people and nature. He described it as poorly managed and dangerous.
High levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, and other harmful chemicals were found in the soil, water, and air near the dump sites.
The court compared the way the company operated to a kind of pyramid scheme. Think Pink took money to get rid of the waste but never followed through with safe disposal.
The damage caused by this has now led to serious health and environmental concerns in several communities.
Five of the main defendants, including Vancor and Nilsson, were sentenced to prison. The others received shorter or suspended sentences.
They have also been ordered to pay nearly 23 million euros in damages to several Swedish municipalities.
The investigation took years and included more than 80 days of hearings. Over 150 witnesses and experts were called.
The verdict was nearly 700 pages long. All the convicted parties denied any wrongdoing.
Vancor said she believed she had followed the law. Her lawyer said the verdict came as a surprise and that they may consider appealing.