"It involves participation over a long period of time, during several phases, and participation in crimes against civilians that devastated many lives in the company's and the defendants' pursuit of profit," said prosecutor Henrik Attorps in his plea in Stockholm District Court on Thursday.
Ian Lundin, the former chairman, and Alexander Schneiter, the former CEO of Lundin Oil, are suspected of aiding and abetting serious crimes under international law (war crimes) in southern Sudan from 1999 to 2003, when the Swedish company operated in the war-torn country.
Civilians killed
According to the indictment, they were aware of and contributed to the killing and displacement of civilians by the military and pro-regime militias to create conditions for the company's oil exploration in an area that had long been controlled by rebels. The offensives were intended, among other things, to enable the construction of new roads.
In the attacks, which the indictment says constituted crimes under international law, civilians were subjected to aerial bombing, helicopter shelling, and killings by soldiers. Homes and healthcare facilities were also looted and burned, the indictment says.
The Lundin leaders are alleged to have contributed by concluding agreements with and making demands of the regime to create the conditions for the operation.
Decisive participation
Their complicity was of great importance to the war crimes that were committed, according to Attorps. Had the company withdrawn when the military began its offensives in 1999, he believes there is a chance there would have been no further attacks.
Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter had several opportunities to stop the operation by invoking force majeure. They had opportunities to demand that military means not be used to enable the operation, but they chose never to do so.
He is also seeking that they be detained in connection with the verdict being announced - saying there is a flight risk - and a ten-year ban on business.
None of the defendants were present in court but participated via video link, and it was difficult to ascertain any immediate reaction from them after the motion.
Both Ian Lundin and Alexander Schneiter deny any wrongdoing. The defense has, among other things, denied that the company and the regime had any relationship as alleged and questions whether war crimes were committed in the manner described by the investigation.
The trial has been ongoing since September 2023 and is expected to conclude in May.
