Former President of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Anders Besseberg pleaded not guilty in court to corruption charges, Dagbladet reports.
The trial of the 77-year-old civil servant for aggravated corruption opened Tuesday in Hokksund (Norway). The Norwegian is suspected of having hidden doping cases in Russia in exchange for favors (luxury watches, prostitutes, exclusive hunting trips, cars) between 2009 and 2018.
The allegations against the former world biathlon boss echo the findings of a damning report published in January 2021 by an independent commission created by the IBU. Created by Swede Olle Dahlin, Besseberg’s successor as head of the organization, the commission concluded that the Norwegian had been protecting Russian interests for many years with the help of its German director general, Nicole Resch.
If the facts are proven, Besseberg risks ten years in prison. 28 days are allotted for examination of the file.
Source : MatchTV
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