FORCIBLE DISPLACEMENTS FOR PROFIT? OIL COMPANY ON THE AUTHORITIES’ RADAR Lundin Petroleum - Alex Schneiter and others Context Ongoing investigation in Sweden into complicity in international crimes committed in Sudan (now South Sudan) between 1997 and 2003 Suspects Alex Schneiter, Swiss national and CEO of Lundin Petroleum; and Ian Lundin, Swedish national and chairman of Lundin Petroleum Country of residence of suspects Sweden and Switzerland Charges Aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity Developments in 2018 On 18 October 2018, the Swedish Government authorized the prosecution authority to proceed with an indictment in this case. Pursuant to Swedish law, the prosecution of a foreign national for crimes committed abroad requires the governmental authorization. Prosecutors are reportedly in the process of finalizing the investigation and a formal indictment should be issued soon. Current status preliminary investigation the same year. Alex Schneiter, who was head of Exploration during the relevant time period, and Ian Lundin, became formal suspects after being questioned by prosecutors in 2016. Facts If convicted of aiding and abetting, Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter face sentences of up to life imprisonment. Both deny the charges. The second Sudanese civil war was fought by the Government of Sudan, the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), and other armed groups from 1983 to 2005. OTHER ONGOING CASES Under investigation According to a report published by a coalition of NGOs, the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan, in 1997, Lundin Petroleum (then Lundin Oil) signed a contract with the Government for the exploration and production of oil in a war zone in southern Sudan, the Block 5A concession, which was not at that time under full Government control. A civil war broke out between the Government and SPLA-supported armed groups for the control of the Block 5A. In this capacity, the company allegedly paid the Sudanese army and non-state armed groups to forcibly displace the local population from oil-rich areas. Almost 200,000 civilians were forcedly displaced, and thousands died. Other crimes allegedly carried out to clear the land include unlawful killings, rape, enslavement, torture, indiscriminate attacks, pillage, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Procedure In 2010, the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan published a report indicating that Lundin Petroleum may have been complicit in international crimes committed in Sudan between 1997 and 2003. The report was submitted to the Swedish International Public Prosecution Office, which opened a 64 • Raed Abdulkareem: Sentence confirmed on appeal, judgment became final