Development Sweden #14. The Lundin War Crimes Trial Begins
A newsletter on Swedish development cooperation and policy
Welcome back to Development Sweden – the newsletter that deliver insight and important reporting on issues of high relevance for anyone interested in Swedish development cooperation and foreign policy.
The following are our headlines:
The Lundin War Crimes Trial Begins
Keep an Eye on the Global Debate
Aid: Decreasing Funds for Water
Aid: Parliamentary Question about Guatemala
Russian Red Cross Not Excluded
Government Aims to ”Refocus” FBA’s Activities
Development Aid: Unproductive Meeting Between Researchers and the Ministry of Foreign AffairsNew at work
David Isaksson
Editor in Chief, Global Bar Magazine
Monika Gutestam Hustus
Editor, Development Sweden
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The Lundin War Crimes Trial Begins
On September 5th, the war crimes trial against Lundin started at the Stockholm District Court. This trial, one of the most extensive ever in Sweden, is estimated to last until the beginning of 2026.
Ian Lundin and Alexandre Schneiter, executives of the company known as Lundin Oil, are charged with aiding and abetting violations of international law in Sudan from 1999 to 2003. They are suspected of contributing to the then-Sudanese regime’s commission of war crimes to secure the company’s oil operations in southern Sudan.
In December 2021, Lundin Energy sold its oil and gas operations to Norwegian Aker BP for 125 billion Norwegian kroner (127.5 billion Swedish kronor). This arrangement shifted the criminal responsibility to Orrön Energy, a significantly smaller company named after an island owned by the Lundin family.
On August 29, Orrön Energy announced that the prosecutor had raised their claim for the forfeiture of criminal proceeds from the company by 1 billion kronor, from 1.381 billion kronor to 2.381 billion kronor, or 201 million euros. Orrön’s market value amounts to 2.576 billion kronor.
Since the sale of Lundin’s assets, Norway’s National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises has examined a complaint submitted by numerous organizations.
The complaints have not been resolved through mediation. The Norwegian NCP for the OECD Guidelines will review the complaints to assess their validity.
One of the organizations that has reported Aker BP and its largest owner, AKER ASA, is Swedwatch:
– Swedwatch welcomes the fact that allegations of crimes committed during the oil war in Sudan are finally being tried in court. For decades, those affected have been denied justice, and hopefully, the trial will be the first step towards justice for the victims. It also sends a clear signal to all companies operating in conflict areas to take responsibility for respecting human rights, says Olof Björnsson, a researcher at Swedwatch, in a press release.
Six prosecutors from the National Unit against International and Organized Crime are responsible for the prosecution. Their presentation of the case will continue until November 8. The trial will last approximately two and a half years and conclude in early 2026.
The Unpaid Debt campaign, which monitors the trial for the victims, has started a podcast series. You can listen to the first episode here: Podcast Episode.