Abu Dhabi court hears evidence in Sudanese military weapons smuggling case

Abu Dhabi's Supreme Court has commenced proceedings in a high-profile case involving a suspected multimillion-dollar scheme to smuggle military weapons and equipment to Sudan. Thirteen individuals, including a former military intelligence officer, and six companies are facing charges of illicit trafficking, money laundering, and document forgery.

The case, which has been adjourned until August 12, alleges that the accused received a $10 million commission and $3 million in bribes for facilitating the procurement of Kalashnikov rifles, machineguns, and grenades. The investigation claims that the plot, orchestrated by the Sudanese government's armament committee, aimed to supply weapons to the Sudanese Armed Forces to fuel their civil war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Prosecutors presented audio and video evidence, financial records, and confessions from several defendants to bolster their case. They alleged that the scheme involved two interrelated transactions, with the first transaction occurring outside the UAE and the second within the UAE, utilizing funds from the first deal. The prosecution emphasized the potential threat posed to the UAE's political stability and security, as well as the involvement of sanctioned individuals and entities.

Defense lawyers argued that some defendants had been manipulated by others to establish fraudulent companies, and that the bank accounts of these entities were controlled by the masterminds to launder the funds.