UAE Refers 13 Defendants and 6 Companies to Trial for Illegal Arms Trafficking and Money Laundering

Overview of the Case

Abu Dhabi: The Attorney-General of the UAE, Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has mandated the referral of 13 individuals and six UAE-registered companies to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Court). They face serious charges, including illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery, and money laundering. This decision follows comprehensive investigations by the Public Prosecution, which uncovered attempts to illegally transport a shipment of ammunition through UAE territory to the Port Sudan Authority.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation revealed that the defendants were involved in procurement arrangements initiated by the armament committee of the Port Sudan Authority, led by Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his deputy Yasser Al Atta. Coordination for these activities has been linked to Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed. The charges also implicate individuals such as Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh, who allegedly played significant roles in directing and coordinating the operation.

The defendants are accused of serious violations of UAE law, including illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery, and laundering proceeds from these crimes. Prosecutors indicated that the operation was executed through two interconnected transactions, characterized by prior planning and the use of commercial and financial fronts to disguise its illegal nature.

Transaction Details

In the first transaction, which took place outside the UAE, an agreement was made to supply military materiel valued at US$13 million, although its actual worth was estimated at only US$10 million. The discrepancy was reportedly allocated as illicit commissions among the defendants, with payments funneled through licensed companies and bank accounts in the UAE under false commercial pretenses.

The second transaction occurred within the UAE, utilizing over US$2 million from the first deal’s proceeds to acquire an additional shipment of ammunition. Some of this shipment was smuggled into the country through deceptive means, including the use of a private aircraft, in preparation for transfer to Port Sudan.

Foiling the Operation

Authorities successfully uncovered the operation, tracing financial flows and shipments, and thwarted the scheme before it could be completed. The defendants were apprehended, and the attempted transit of military materiel was halted. Investigators discovered that the scheme extended beyond the seized shipment, with plans to smuggle an additional five million rounds of Goryunov ammunition through six further transactions. Disrupting the initial shipment effectively prevented these subsequent plans from being executed.

The investigation yielded substantial evidence, including the seizure and analysis of financial and commercial records, documents, and official correspondence. Additionally, tracked bank transfers and cash flows linked to the transactions were examined. The evidence also included confessions from several defendants and documented communications demonstrating coordination among the involved parties.

Legal Proceedings and Implications

On April 30, 2025, the Attorney-General announced that security authorities had thwarted an attempt to illegally transport weapons and military materiel to the Port Sudan Authority. This operation led to the arrest of several individuals and laid the groundwork for the current case.

The Public Prosecution emphasized that the UAE will not tolerate any misuse of its territory, institutions, or financial systems for unlawful activities. They reiterated that the sovereignty and security of the state are paramount, and the law will be enforced rigorously against all involved parties.

Individuals Referred to Trial

The following individuals have been referred to trial:

• Rashed Omar Abdul Qader Ali
• Mohammed Al Fath Mohammed Beik
• Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh
• Abdullah Khalafallah
• Ahmed Rabie Sayed Ahmed Mohammed
• Yasser Abdulrahman Hassan Al Atta
• Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed
• Maher Abduljalil Mohammed Abduljalil
• Khaled Yousef Mukhtar Yousef
• Ahmed Khalafallah Abdullah Ahmed
• Mubarak Ali Al Sheikh Mohammed
• Othman Bakr Ali Karrar
• Musab Awad Al Karim Hassan Mohammed

Companies Involved

The six companies referred to trial are:

• Rashed Omar Brokerage Company
• Portex Trade Limited
• Wardat Al Masarra Trading Company
• Sudamina Company
• Yellow Sand Trading Company
• Apollara Electronics Trading Company

For more information, visit the source: www.emirates247.com.

Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.

Published on 2026-04-30 22:03:00 • By the Editorial Desk