As the former CEO of waste management company NMT Think Pink, Nilsson is accused of illegally dumping or burying 200,000 tons of waste at 21 different locations between 2015 and 2020. Nilsson, now using the name Fariba Vancor, and the company's other former director, Leif-Ivan Karlsson, deny the charges, their lawyer said.
Nilsson, who did not answer reporters' questions as he entered Attunda district court north of Stockholm, has previously told Swedish media that his company acted in accordance with the law. But according to prosecutors, NMT Think Pink's management of waste caused carcinogenic chemicals, lead, arsenic and mercury to enter the air, soil and water.
Threat to the environment and public health
A Think Pink waste pile near a nature reserve spontaneously combusted, causing a fire that could not be extinguished for two months.
Prosecutors said NMT Think Pink had no intention or ability to manage the waste in accordance with environmental laws, endangering human, animal and plant life.
The company was hired by construction companies, municipalities and individuals to dispose of a variety of waste, including building materials, electronics, metal, plastic, wood, tires and toys.But according to prosecutors, this waste was abandoned without being sorted.
Municipalities demand large compensation for cleanup
Prosecutor Anders Gustafsson argued that in addition to illegally dumping the waste, the defendants used false documents to deceive authorities and used the money for private purposes.
Several municipalities are seeking 260 million kroner ($25.4 million) in compensation for the costs of cleaning up the waste and decontaminating the areas.
The municipality of Botkyrka, south of Stockholm, said it had spent SEK 125 million just to remove the waste and demanded compensation for this amount.
A fire in Kagghamra prevented parents in the area from taking their children outside due to toxic smoke.
