Ivory Coast toxic saga two jailed
Posted by travelhouseuk on October 24, 2008
Two men have been sentenced to 25years by a court in Abidjan, Ivory Coast following 500 tons of toxic waste which was dumped by a ship Probo Koala in 2006. It was chartered by a Holland oil trader Trafigura. The company said management and government reached a 150 million euro out of court settlement.Tommy the owner of a local waste disposal company in Abidjan was sentenced to 20 years for dumping the toxic waste whiles a port worker who recommended Tommy was similarly sentenced to 5 years jail term, 7 others were acquitted.
Trafigura is also facing pending cases in two European cities. Over 30, 000 victims through their Lawyers in London are demanding compensation whiles in Amsterdam the district court is expected to critically look at the role of the city council, Probo Koala and the management of Trafigura in a related scandal.
It was reported that the toxic waste claims 17 lives in Ivory Coast whiles dozens more were hospitalized following the dumping.
