Latest news with #BellaNilsson
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Straits Times
Sweden's 'Queen of Trash' jailed over toxic waste scandal
Waste management company Think Pink's former chief executive Bella Nilsson was sentenced to six years behind bars for 19 counts of 'aggravated environmental crime'. PHOTO: AFP STOCKHOLM - A court in Sweden on June 17 convicted 10 people of illegally dumping toxic waste, including a former stripper who once described herself as the 'Queen of Trash', in the country's biggest environmental crime trial. The five central figures in the case were handed prison sentences ranging from two to six years. Waste management company Think Pink was found guilty of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly. In a 692-page verdict, the Sodertorn district court sentenced Think Pink's former chief executive Bella Nilsson to six years behind bars for 19 counts of 'aggravated environmental crime'. Nilsson worked as a stripper and managed a sex club in Stockholm in the 1990s, getting convicted for accounting crimes in 1998. She wrote a memoire – A Stripper's Confession – before going on to win a prestigious award in 2018 for entrepreneurship with Think Pink. The four others received prison sentences ranging from two to four-and-a-half years. 'The group's waste management activities have posed risks – in certain instances, substantial risks – to both human health and the environment,' judge Niklas Schullerqvist wrote in a statement. 'There is no doubt that environmental offences were committed at the sites where the waste was handled.' Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-operatives and private individuals to dispose of primarily building materials but also electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys. But the firm left the piles of waste unsorted and abandoned, the court heard. High levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals had been released into the air, soil and water, endangering the health of human, animal and plant life, the court found. Nilsson – who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor – argued during the trial that Think Pink had 'followed the law'. During the proceedings, her lawyers rejected the prosecution's claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, saying any wrongdoing was 'by mistake'. Her defence team was surprised by June 17's verdict. 'It was a little unexpected,' lawyer Jan Tibbling told daily Aftonbladet, adding: 'Of course we're not happy.' He said he had yet to speak to his client to discuss whether to lodge an appeal. Nilsson has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. A total of 11 people were charged in the case. Only one of the accused was acquitted: an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle, whom the court concluded had primarily served in a marketing role. In addition to Nilsson, the convicted included an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, a 'waste broker', a transport organiser, five landowners, and Nilsson's ex-husband who co-founded the company and at one time served as its chief executive. The five central figures were ordered to pay 260 million kronor (S$35 million) in damages to several municipalities for clean-up and decontamination costs. One of the biggest claims was from the Botkyrka city council, where two Think Pink waste piles burnt for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting. One was near two nature reserves. The Kagghamra site, buried under sand to extinguish the fire, has only recently stopped burning. The trial opened in September 2024 after an investigation lasting several years and comprising more than 45,000 pages. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Int'l Business Times
17-06-2025
- Int'l Business Times
Verdict Due For Sweden's 'Queen Of Trash' Over Toxic Waste
A court in Sweden will rule Tuesday in the country's biggest environmental crime trial, where a self-proclaimed "Queen of Trash" and four others stand accused of illegally dumping toxic waste. The once-acclaimed waste management company Think Pink is accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly. Prosecutors have called for six-year prison sentences against the five, who have denied the charges. The Sodertorn district court is due to announce the verdict at 11:00 am (0900 GMT). Think Pink's former chief executive Bella Nilsson, an ex-stripper who once called herself the "Queen of Trash", is charged with "aggravated environmental crime". Two others who also served as chief executive at times -- Nilsson's ex-husband Thomas Nilsson, who founded the company, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle -- face the same charge and possible sentence. As do "waste broker" Robert Silversten and Tobias Gustafsson, accused of organising the transportation of the waste. Bella Nilsson -- who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor -- told the court Think Pink "followed the law". Her lawyer Thomas Olsson rejected the prosecution's claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, and said any wrongdoing was "by mistake". Bella Nilsson has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. The prosecution has also sought a three-year sentence against an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, as well as sentences of between eight and 18 months for five landowners. Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-operatives and private individuals to dispose of primarily building materials but also electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys. But Think Pink left the piles of waste unsorted and abandoned, the court heard. Prosecutors said high levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals had been released into the air, soil and water, endangering the health of human, animal and plant life. Several municipalities have sought damages for clean-up and decontamination costs, totalling 260 million kronor ($27 million). One of the biggest claims is from the Botkyrka city council, where two Think Pink waste piles burned for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting. One was near two nature reserves. The Kagghamra site, buried under sand to extinguish the fire, has only recently stopped burning. Tests will soon be conducted on the toxic waste before politicians decide what to do with it.
France 24
17-06-2025
- France 24
Verdict due for Sweden's 'Queen of Trash' over toxic waste
The once-acclaimed waste management company Think Pink is accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly. Prosecutors have called for six-year prison sentences against the five, who have denied the charges. The Sodertorn district court is due to announce the verdict at 11:00 am (0900 GMT). Think Pink's former chief executive Bella Nilsson, an ex-stripper who once called herself the "Queen of Trash", is charged with "aggravated environmental crime". Two others who also served as chief executive at times -- Nilsson's ex-husband Thomas Nilsson, who founded the company, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle -- face the same charge and possible sentence. As do "waste broker" Robert Silversten and Tobias Gustafsson, accused of organising the transportation of the waste. Bella Nilsson -- who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor -- told the court Think Pink "followed the law". Her lawyer Thomas Olsson rejected the prosecution's claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, and said any wrongdoing was "by mistake". Bella Nilsson has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. The prosecution has also sought a three-year sentence against an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, as well as sentences of between eight and 18 months for five landowners. Flaming waste piles Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-operatives and private individuals to dispose of primarily building materials but also electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys. But Think Pink left the piles of waste unsorted and abandoned, the court heard. Prosecutors said high levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals had been released into the air, soil and water, endangering the health of human, animal and plant life. Several municipalities have sought damages for clean-up and decontamination costs, totalling 260 million kronor ($27 million). One of the biggest claims is from the Botkyrka city council, where two Think Pink waste piles burned for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting. One was near two nature reserves. The Kagghamra site, buried under sand to extinguish the fire, has only recently stopped burning.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
Verdict due for Sweden's 'Queen of Trash' over toxic waste
A court in Sweden will rule Tuesday in the country's biggest environmental crime trial, where a self-proclaimed "Queen of Trash" and four others stand accused of illegally dumping toxic waste. The once-acclaimed waste management company Think Pink is accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly. Prosecutors have called for six-year prison sentences against the five, who have denied the charges. The Sodertorn district court is due to announce the verdict at 11:00 am (0900 GMT). Think Pink's former chief executive Bella Nilsson, an ex-stripper who once called herself the "Queen of Trash", is charged with "aggravated environmental crime". Two others who also served as chief executive at times -- Nilsson's ex-husband Thomas Nilsson, who founded the company, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle -- face the same charge and possible sentence. As do "waste broker" Robert Silversten and Tobias Gustafsson, accused of organising the transportation of the waste. Bella Nilsson -- who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor -- told the court Think Pink "followed the law". Her lawyer Thomas Olsson rejected the prosecution's claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, and said any wrongdoing was "by mistake". Bella Nilsson has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. The prosecution has also sought a three-year sentence against an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, as well as sentences of between eight and 18 months for five landowners. - Flaming waste piles - Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-operatives and private individuals to dispose of primarily building materials but also electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys. But Think Pink left the piles of waste unsorted and abandoned, the court heard. Prosecutors said high levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals had been released into the air, soil and water, endangering the health of human, animal and plant life. Several municipalities have sought damages for clean-up and decontamination costs, totalling 260 million kronor ($27 million). One of the biggest claims is from the Botkyrka city council, where two Think Pink waste piles burned for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting. One was near two nature reserves. The Kagghamra site, buried under sand to extinguish the fire, has only recently stopped burning. Tests will soon be conducted on the toxic waste before politicians decide what to do with it. po/jhb
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Sweden's ‘Queen of Trash' risks prison in toxic waste crime trial
Former Think Pink chief executive Bella Nilsson and two others are charged with 'aggravated environmental crime'. (EPA Images pic) STOCKHOLM : Prosecutors called on Thursday for Sweden's self-proclaimed 'Queen of Trash' and four others to be jailed for six years for illegally dumping toxic waste, as the country's biggest environmental crime trial ended. The once-acclaimed waste management company Think Pink is accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly. Its former chief executive Bella Nilsson, an ex-stripper who once called herself the 'Queen of Trash', is charged with 'aggravated environmental crime'. Two others who also served as chief executive at times – Nilsson's ex-husband Thomas Nilsson who founded the company, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-the-top lifestyle – face the same charge and possible sentence. So do 'waste broker' Robert Silversten and Tobias Gustafsson, accused of organising the transportation of the waste. All five deny the charges. 'We did everything correctly. We did it legally. We followed the law,' Bella Nilsson told the district court. Her lawyer Thomas Olsson rejected the prosecution's claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, and said any wrongdoing was 'by mistake'. Bella Nilsson – who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor – has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals. The prosecution also sought a three-year sentence against an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, as well as sentences of between eight and 18 months for five landowners. Think Pink was hired by municipalities, construction companies, apartment co-operatives and private individuals to dispose of primarily building materials but also electronics, metals, plastics, wood, tyres and toys. But, Think Pink left the piles of waste unsorted and abandoned, the court heard. High levels of toxic PCB compounds, lead, mercury, arsenic and other chemicals were released into the air, soil and water, prosecutors said, endangering the health of human, animal and plant life. The trial opened in Sept 2024 after an investigation lasting several years and comprising more than 45,000 pages. 'This trial is unique in scope. There has been a lot of material to go through, large amounts of waste… and the investigation and trial lasted a long time,' prosecutor Anders Gustafsson told AFP. He said Think Pink's motive was money. 'It's extremely costly for a company to do the right thing. You make a lot if you collect the waste and don't sort it properly.' Several municipalities have sought damages for clean-up and decontamination costs, totalling 260 million kronor (US$27 million). One of the biggest claims is from the Botkyrka city council, where two Think Pink waste piles burned for months in 2020 and 2021 after spontaneously combusting. One was near two nature reserves. The verdict is due on June 17.
