The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal has concluded a significant case involving an illicit network accused of trafficking weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to the Sudanese Army, alongside money laundering activities. The court convicted multiple individuals and companies linked to the operation, revealing a complex scheme that involved arms deals, commercial fronts, bank transfers, and cash payments aimed at concealing the true sources and destinations of the funds.
Eight individuals received life sentences in connection with the case. Those sentenced to life imprisonment are Rashid Omar Abdul Qadir Ali; Salah Abdullah Mohammed Saleh, also known as Salah Gosh; Ahmed Abdullah, known as Abdullah Khalafallah; Ahmed Rabie’ Sayed Ahmed; Mohammed Fath Al Beik; Yasser Abdulrahman Al Atta; Othman Al Zubair; and Maher Abdul Jalil. In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the confiscation of seized ammunition, mobile phones, and communication devices used in the commission of the crimes. Upon completing their sentences, the convicted persons will be deported from the United Arab Emirates.
The court also handed down three-year prison terms to a separate group including Rashid Omar Abdul Qadir Ali; Salah Abdullah Mohammed Saleh; Ahmed Abdullah; Maher Abdul Jalil Mohammed Abdul Jalil; Othman Babiker; Khalid Yousuf Mukhtar; and Ahmed Khalafallah Abdullah. These individuals were each fined 1 million dirhams (Dh) for money laundering offenses. Furthermore, the court ordered the confiscation of Dh1.545 million from the seized funds linked to the case, alongside deportation after serving prison terms.
Several companies were also implicated and fined Dh1 million each for involvement in money laundering. The entities penalized include Rashed Omar Brokerage Company, Porter Trade Limited, Apollara Electronics Trading Company, Yellow Sand Trading Company, Wardat Al Masarra Trading Company, and Sudanima - Free Zone. The court canceled the licenses and registrations of these companies and ordered the confiscation of any funds and proceeds derived from the illicit activities.
Two defendants—Mubarak Ali Al Sheikh and Mus’ab Awad Al Karim Hassan—were acquitted of all charges.
The ruling emphasized that the defendants had engaged in trading weapons, ammunition, and military equipment without requisite licensure or authorisation from relevant authorities, underscoring the illicit nature of the operation and its breach of legal regulations governing arms sales and financial transactions in the UAE.