PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Swedish biathlon star Sebastian Samuelsson is not gracious in his criticism of the corruption-suspected former biathlon base Anders Besseberg.
– I think he is lying and hope he is sentenced to prison, he says to Aftonbladet.
The Norwegian is accused of having accepted bribes, including in the form of expensive luxury watches, hunting trips, prostitutes and a leasing car – something that he himself denies.
– I have no interest in watches or knowledge of brands or values, said Anders Bessebergwho among other things received a watch worth 195,000 kroner as a “personal gift”, in the ongoing trial in Norway.
– I was happy with myself and didn’t think it was undeserved that I got it.
The article continues below.
Sebastian Samuelsson don’t believe Besseberg’s version.
– He says that he has received gifts worth hundreds of thousands of kroner, but that it has no connection to the fact that he has been president of the IBU… I wish I had as many rich friends as he had, who gave me luxury watches worth hundreds of thousands of kroner, he says.
READ MORE: Wolfgang Pichler’s rock-hard sawing of the Swedish biathlete men – coaching icon: “Unbelievably bad”
The accusations against Besseberg caused an investigation to start in 2018, and at the same time Besseberg resigned as president of the International Biathlon Union after 26 years. But it is only now, six years later, that the trial has started in Norway and it is expected to last for several weeks.
Besseberg risks up to ten years in prison.
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