Eight receive life terms in Abu Dhabi arms-smuggling case
Abu Dhabi’s federal appeals tribunal has sent eight individuals to prison for life after finding them guilty of trafficking weapons and bullets destined for Sudan’s military.
Eight receive life terms in Abu Dhabi arms-smuggling case
Abu Dhabi’s federal appeals tribunal has sent eight individuals to prison for life after finding them guilty of trafficking weapons and bullets destined for Sudan’s military, reports Radio Tamazuj.
Several co-accused received three-year jail terms, while two were found not guilty. Six firms were penalised financially. The bench ruled that cash, munitions, handsets and communication tools linked to the plot be confiscated. Upon finishing their sentences, those found guilty will be removed from the state.
On 30 April, prosecutors transferred thirteen suspects and six locally registered businesses to the State Security Court. The indictments covered unlicensed arms dealing, document fraud and proceeds laundering.
Detectives identified two related operations. One agreement concerned the acquisition of Kalashnikov assault rifles, automatic weapons and explosive devices. The paperwork claimed a cost of thirteen million dollars, yet investigators determined the merchandise was worth roughly ten million, with the surplus funnelled as illicit kickbacks to enablers. A second operation diverted over two million dollars from the initial sum to procure extra bullets. A portion of this consignment reached the Emirates via a chartered jet whose manifests falsely declared the contents as relief supplies or pharmaceuticals, intending eventual transfer to Port Sudan.
Officials disclosed that the ring intended to carry out six additional consignments containing several million rounds for Goryunov automatic weapons, but intercepting the initial load foiled the follow-on plans.
During hearings, the prosecution displayed banking documentation, wire transfers, email trails, audio tapes and alleged admissions from certain detainees. Evidence showed the defendants shielded transactions behind shell entities and commercial cover stories.
The matter surfaced publicly in April 2025, when the Emirates revealed it had thwarted a bid to move martial materiel to Port Sudan.
Source: Google News AE