The former IBU president had a strong influence on decisions of importance to the member nations and, not least, athletes. He also managed large financial assets.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal finds: 


"Besseberg has received considerable financial advantages which clearly exceed NOK 1,000,000, that several of the individual acts seriously harmed the IBU's reputation, or might do so, and that the act of corruption went on for many years and consisted of a long series of individual acts. In addition, the Court of Appeal had special regard to the fact that Besseberg's act was a clear breach of the trust his office as president of an international sports federation involved."


– The judgment describes a case of serious corruption. He is an influential person who was bribed over more than a decade, says Økokrim Senior Public Prosecutor Marianne Djupesland, who prosecuted the case in court.

In 2023, Økokrim indicted the Norwegian, who was president of the IBU from 1993 to 2018. He was indicted for offences committed between 2009 and 2018, specifically taking bribes in the form of watches, hunting trips and trophies, prostitutes and a leased car he had at his disposal in Norway from 2011 to 2018.


The Court of Appeal sentenced him to 3 years in prison. Just over NOK 1 million, two watches and belongings acquired through hunts will be confiscated.


– We are satisfied that the Court of Appeal has largely assessed the evidence in the same way as the prosecution and the District Court, says Djupesland.


Corruption in sport
The conviction is important for the anti-corruption efforts in Norway and internationally: 


– Cases of this nature tend to involve people of many nationalities, and the corruption may take place on trips abroad. They are difficult to detect and demanding to investigate. For that reason, the conviction sends an important message that such corruption can indeed be detected and prosecuted, including in international sports federations, says Djupesland. 


There is a lot of money in circulation in international top-level sports. 


– Federations manage large financial assets and make decisions that are important to both athletes and businesses. We trust that this conviction will serve to raise awareness of the risk of corruption and have a preventive effect, says Djupesland. 


International cooperation
The investigation has demanded considerable assistance from many other countries, and Økokrim would especially like to thank the Austrian police and prosecuting authority. Their cooperation has been crucial. 


– This case was uncovered largely thanks to Austrian authorities. They very soon started investigating the case, taking absolutely essential investigative measures in 2018, such as wire-tapping and initial interviews with key individuals, says Djupesland. 

The acts uncovered in the case also prompted the introduction of important preventive measures in the International Biathlon Union. They have created a dedicated integrity unit, the Biathlon Integrity Unit, which has tightened internal rules and monitors IBU activities.


Contact:
+47 23 29 10 30 (08:00–15:45)
kommunikasjon.okokrim@politiet.no