Danish couple operating eco retreat in Sweden flees, forsaking 158 barrels of human waste

Picture credit score: Stedsans’ web site

Danish couple, who gained recognition for his or her “forest resort” in Sweden fled from tax authorities and have been traced to Guatemala—forsaking 158 barrels of human waste, the Guardian reported.
Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbæk launched their allegedly eco-conscious retreat, Stedsans, in Halland, southern Sweden, impressed by what they described as a “name of the wild” they skilled whereas working a well known rooftop restaurant in Copenhagen.
Nonetheless, a couple of months in the past, it was revealed that the couple had disappeared, abandoning quite a few animals and forsaking 158 barrels of human waste, based on an investigation by newspapers Dagens Nyheter and Politiken. The probe additionally uncovered that wastewater had been discharged immediately into the encircling forest.
In keeping with employees, a number of animals—together with geese—died after being left outdoor in a single day by the couple, whereas others have been deserted when the homeowners disappeared.
Stedsans was formally declared bankrupt in March, and the couple had reportedly registered their residence abroad shortly earlier than Christmas.
“We got here very far with Stedsans, however we additionally needed to realise on the way in which that being soul-driven entrepreneurs on a mission in a rustic the place taxes are a number of the highest on this planet and paperwork is relentless, it’s an unattainable activity,” they stated in a message posted on their web site.
“While you learn this we’ve got most likely been declared bankrupt by the Swedish tax authorities. All we ever wished was to be part of making a extra stunning planet,” they added.
The investigation revealed that the couple left Copenhagen in 2016—the place they have been already closely indebted to Danish tax authorities—to relocate to Sweden. There, they established Stedsans however quickly started accruing debt to Swedish tax authorities as properly, reportedly totaling 6 million SEK (£470,000).