Bella Nilsson Sentenced to Six Years in Sweden's Largest Environmental Crime Case
Bella Nilsson, dubbed the 'Waste Queen', has been sentenced to six years in prison in the massive Think Pink case, marking Sweden's largest environmental crime investigation to date. Several others also received lengthy prison sentences.
Business figure Leif-Ivan Karlsson was acquitted of all charges, though the prosecutor has not ruled out an appeal.
The investigation into Think Pink has spanned four years and is Sweden's largest environmental crime case.
Bella Nilsson, now known as Fariba Vancor, was the founder and owner of the waste management company. She has been convicted of 19 counts of serious environmental crime, resulting in a six-year prison sentence.
Judge Niklas Schüllerqvist described Think Pink's operations as a 'pyramid scheme'.
"The waste management posed significant risks and harmful emissions, causing considerable difficulties for residents near these sites," said Schüllerqvist.
Leif-Ivan Acquitted: "I Want to Cry"
Former CEO Leif-Ivan Karlsson, now Leif Karlsson, was charged with serious environmental crime but was acquitted on all counts.
"What a relief, I just want to cry. I'm so happy and couldn't believe this would happen. Three years have been a nightmare for the whole family," said Leif Karlsson.
The court determined that he was linked to waste management at one of the sites, but the act was deemed time-barred. Meanwhile, Leif Karlsson faces charges of economic crime related to Think Pink, with a verdict pending.
Prosecutor: May Appeal
Prosecutor Anders Gustafsson is generally satisfied with the verdicts but not entirely. He noted that the court made a different assessment of Leif Karlsson's responsibility for waste management.
"If you are the CEO of a company that does nothing but handle waste, you should fall under the description of handling waste," said Anders Gustafsson, who has not ruled out appealing that part of the verdict.
He also sees no flight risk for Fariba Vancor, sentenced to six years in prison.
"Neither she nor any of the convicted have any travel restrictions. There has been no flight risk previously."
A total of 11 people were charged with varying degrees of involvement in serious environmental crimes at 21 locations in Sweden between 2015 and 2020.
Ordered to Pay Quarter Billion
In addition to Bella Nilsson, four of the main defendants were sentenced to 3-4.5 years in prison for serious environmental crime. They are collectively ordered to pay approximately a quarter of a billion kronor in damages to, among others, Botkyrka Municipality and Västerås City.
Among the accused were individuals suspected of transporting thousands of tons of unsorted construction and demolition waste for payment, which was then buried in the ground. Property owners who received the waste were also included in the indictment.
The handling led to heavy metals leaking into nature, according to Judge Joel Björk-Werner.
"It will cost even more to clean up and remove the waste managed by Think Pink," said Björk-Werner.
An additional five people were convicted of environmental crimes of normal severity, with two sentenced to prison and three receiving conditional sentences and fines.
Correction: In a push notification, we incorrectly named Leif Karlsson.