Swedish « Waste Queen » sentenced to six years in prison for serious environmental crimes

In the biggest case of environmental crime in Sweden’s history, ten people have been convicted of serious environmental crimes. The process lasted several years, and the verdict was nearly 700 pages.

Swedish entrepreneur Fariba Vancor has been sentenced to six years in prison for illegally delaying hundreds of thousands of tons of toxic waste. Vankor, previously known as Bella Nilsson, who was director of the Think Pink waste management company, has been found guilty of 19 counts of serious environmental damage. Her ex -husband Thomas Nilsson has been found guilty of 12 counts and sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Vankor’s firm received an agreement to deal with construction waste from municipalities, construction companies, residential associations and citizens, but instead of postponing it properly, the company left the waste unprepared and illegally thrown at 19 locations across Sweden.

Investigators have found high levels of toxic compounds, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals that pollute air, soil and water, endangering humans, animals and plants.

The five main defendants must pay and damages about 250 million Swedish crowns (about £ 19m), including the municipality of Botkirka and the city of Westeras.