Swedish oil bosses quizzed in six-year human rights probe
Swedish prosecutors have met the bosses of Swedish oil company Lundin Petroleum to question them about their alleged involvement in international law crimes in South Sudan.
Ian Lundin, chairman of the board, and CEO Alex Schneiter have both been notified they are formally suspected of complicity in aggravated crimes against international law, it was confirmed on Monday.
The Aftonbladet tabloid reported they met the prosecutor, Magnus Elving, last week.
The allegations refer to suspected human rights abuses in connection with oil exploration in southern Sudan between 1997 and 2003, and the investigation has been going on since 2010.
"We continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, which is now in its seventh year and, we hope, in its final stage," wrote Lundin in a statement issued to shareholders on Monday.
"The board remains convinced that there are no grounds for any allegations of wrongdoing against any representative of Lundin. Lundin has always been an advocate for peace by peaceful means in Sudan," he added.
Lundin Oil, today Lundin Petroleum, made a major discovery of oil in the Thar Jath structure in block 5A in 1999. The firm has since sold the businesses operating in the area, which is now South Sudan.
Human rights groups have claimed that Lundin Oil and other firms were complicit in activities in the disputed region which sparked a conflict that led to the death or displacement of hundreds of thousands.
Lundin Petroleum denies this.
"It remains our firm belief that Lundin's presence in Block 5A contributed to improving living conditions in the region, through our infrastructure investment, community development and humanitarian assistance, which made life better for thousands of people," the company said.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan to form an independent state on July 9th 2011.
Comments
See Also
Ian Lundin, chairman of the board, and CEO Alex Schneiter have both been notified they are formally suspected of complicity in aggravated crimes against international law, it was confirmed on Monday.
The Aftonbladet tabloid reported they met the prosecutor, Magnus Elving, last week.
The allegations refer to suspected human rights abuses in connection with oil exploration in southern Sudan between 1997 and 2003, and the investigation has been going on since 2010.
"We continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, which is now in its seventh year and, we hope, in its final stage," wrote Lundin in a statement issued to shareholders on Monday.
"The board remains convinced that there are no grounds for any allegations of wrongdoing against any representative of Lundin. Lundin has always been an advocate for peace by peaceful means in Sudan," he added.
Lundin Oil, today Lundin Petroleum, made a major discovery of oil in the Thar Jath structure in block 5A in 1999. The firm has since sold the businesses operating in the area, which is now South Sudan.
Human rights groups have claimed that Lundin Oil and other firms were complicit in activities in the disputed region which sparked a conflict that led to the death or displacement of hundreds of thousands.
Lundin Petroleum denies this.
"It remains our firm belief that Lundin's presence in Block 5A contributed to improving living conditions in the region, through our infrastructure investment, community development and humanitarian assistance, which made life better for thousands of people," the company said.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan to form an independent state on July 9th 2011.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.