Anders Besseberg found guilty of nine counts of serious corruption. The 78-year-old Norwegian is the former boss of the World Biathlon Association IBU.
He was also convicted of hunting trips to Russia in 2013, 2015 and 2018. He also has to return gifts worth 1.4 million Norwegian krone (NOK) – around 120,000 euros. The judge also noted: “It can be proven beyond a doubt that he used sexual services even though he knew that they were sent by Kushchenko or the organizer’” The judge pointed out that the long period of investigation played a role in the verdict, but not the age of the defendant. He filed an appeal on the spot after the verdict was read, which lasted almost three hours. His defenders also emphasized that they want to continue fighting for him. The first case was said to have first inspected the new winter sports center in Tyumen. The second occurred during the period when Tyumen was considered a candidate for hosting the World Championships.