Washington, D.C., Berlin, Kiel | March 1, 2021 – Today,
Whistleblowing International,
ANA LOGO, the
European Center for Whistleblower Rights and the U.S.-based
Whistleblower Network News,
National Whistleblower Center launched a
GoFundMe campaign to support
Fishrot whistleblower Jóhannes Stefánsson. Stefánsson is the former Director of Operations in Namibia for Icelandic fishing company Samherji. He worked with anti-corruption authorities and the
media to expose a fishing rights bribery scheme in Namibia. Samherji CEO Thorsteinn Mar Baldvinsson is under investigation for allegedly approving bribes, estimated at $10 million, to Namibian politicians and companies to illegally obtain offshore fishing rights. Namibia’s justice and fisheries ministers
resigned and were arrested on corruption charges, along with several other prominent Namibian figures. Last month, Namibian President Hage Geingob was linked to the scandal. Baldvinsson stepped aside but was
later reinstated by Samherji. Multiple investigations are underway in several countries, and new
revelations of criminality are still coming to light.
Since blowing the whistle, Stefánsson has faced severe retaliation. He not only lost his job but has also survived multiple attempts on his life and believes he has been poisoned. Set to return to Namibia to testify this April, Stefánsson says that he continues to pursue justice in the face of danger.
The whistleblower groups formed an international coalition to assist Stefánsson in his plight for justice and, more importantly, help him get immediately treated for poisoning. He has been unable to receive adequate poisoning treatment in Iceland and is financially unable to seek treatment internationally. Whistleblowers like Stefánsson are integral to rooting out corruption worldwide, and they need help doing it.
