The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) has indicted a Norwegian man who was president of the IBU for trial on charges of aggravated corruption. The offences took place during the period 2009 to 2018.

The charges include accepting bribes in the form of watches, hunting trips and trophies, prostitutes and a leased car which he enjoyed the use of from 2011 to 2018 in Norway.

Økokrim believes there is sufficient evidence to prove that he accepted bribes continuously over a ten-year period. The seriousness of the matter is emphasised by the breach of trust his actions represent in light of his position as president of the IBU, says the prosecutor in charge of the case, Senior Public Prosecutor Marianne Djupesland.

The investigation has required interviewing a large number of people in and obtaining information from a number of countries. Also, a vast amount of documents have been studied and examined.

To conduct the investigation, Økokrim has cooperated with the Austrian authorities in a Joint Investigation Team under the auspices of Eurojust. In addition, Økokrim has received assistance from Czech, Liechtenstein and Canadian authorities.

Regardless of the case against the former president of the IBU, Head of Økokrim Pål K. Lønseth is worried about the amount of corruption in international top-level sports.

International top-level sports generate large revenues and handle large assets while at the same time many sports associations display a low level of maturity with respect to prevention of corruption. In context, this represents a clear risk of corruption which there is every reason to be worried about. I hope international top-level sports will strengthen their anti-corruption work so that sports organisations can maintain their credibility.  

Senior Public Prosecutor Marianne Djupesland will be available for interviews. Please get in touch with our media contact for an appointment.

Contact:
Phone: + 47 23 29 10 30 (08.00-15.45)
email: kommunikasjon.okokrim@politiet.no