The former Lundin toppers Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter took their place on the accused’s bench in the Stockholm district court on Tuesday, accused of aiding and abetting serious war crimes in Sudan.
– The accusations are completely false, says Ian Lundin to a gathered press gathering.
– It has been a very long process. We’ve had this case hanging over us for 14
year and today is the first day of the trial. It will be a very long trial, but we look forward to defending ourselves in court, says Lundin in a statement in English to the massive press gathering gathered in the Stockholm district court, before he steps into the courtroom.
The accusations are completely false, according to Ian Lundin.
– Sudan has been plagued by internal conflicts for many, many years, but we have never had anything to do with this conflict. On the contrary, we have been a good force in the area and the company has always adhered to the highest possible ethical standards, he says.
The mammoth trial that begins on Tuesday is a bit unique, partly in its scope – it will last until 2026 – partly concerning the accusations that are directed at two former company leaders, suspected of aiding and abetting serious crimes against humanity.
“Burned down villages, killed civilians, raped women”
The deal extends over 25 years back in time, to 1997 when Lundin Oil under the leadership of the then chairman of the board Ian Lundin and CEO Alex Schneiter signed an agreement on oil prospecting in southern Sudan with the government of the country affected by civil war.
Two years later, Sudan’s military, supported by militia loyal to the regime, launches offensives to take control of the oil fields.
– They burned down villages, killed civilians, raped women, says Johan Brosché, docent in peace and conflict studies specializing in Sudan and called as an expert witness in the trial.