Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Attorney General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has ordered the referral of 19 defendants, including six companies registered within the UAE, to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Circuit).
This follows charges of illicit trafficking in military equipment, forgery, and money laundering.
The Public Prosecution stated that investigations revealed an attempt
to smuggle a shipment of ammunition to Port Sudan through UAE territory.
This constitutes a clear violation of the laws in force in the UAE.
Interconnected deals and complex financial transactions
Investigations revealed that the incidents stemmed from pre-planned military deals conducted outside the country.
These deals involved the supply of weapons and ammunition.
Commercial entities and financial fronts were used to conceal the illicit nature of the operations.
The investigations indicated that the first deal involved the supply of Kalashnikov rifles,
machine guns, and grenades, with a declared value of $13 million.
The difference between the actual and declared value was exploited through illicit financial transfers.
Part of the proceeds was used in a second deal within the country
to smuggle a shipment of ammunition through fraudulent means.
These means included transporting the ammunition by private plane, with the intention of smuggling it out of the country again.
The Public Prosecution confirmed that the competent authorities were able to track the financial transfers and the shipments.
This led to the arrest of the suspects and the thwarting of the operation before its completion.
Furthermore, a broader scheme to smuggle additional quantities of ammunition through several other deals was uncovered.
Extensive evidence and investigations
She explained that the case file included technical and financial evidence, including documents, records, and correspondence.
In addition, the case included confessions from some of the defendants and documented recordings and conversations.
This evidence proved the interconnectedness of roles in executing the scheme.
The Public Prosecution stressed that the UAE will not tolerate any attempts to exploit its territory or financial system for illicit activities.
It also affirmed that the country’s sovereignty and security are a red line, and that the law will be applied firmly to all those involved.
