The UAE Attorney-General’s Office has referred 13 defendants and six companies to the State Security Court over allegations linked to an attempt to transit military materiel through the country to Port Sudan.
Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the case, now before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Court), involves charges of illicit arms trafficking, forgery of official documents, and money laundering.
According to the Public Prosecution, investigations uncovered a network allegedly attempting to move ammunition through UAE territory in violation of national laws. Authorities said the operation was intercepted before completion, with suspects arrested and shipments tracked.
Prosecutors said the case is connected to procurement arrangements involving the Port Sudan Authority, allegedly coordinated by individuals linked to the deal.
Investigators described two interconnected transactions allegedly used to conceal the scheme. The first, conducted outside the UAE, involved an agreement to supply weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, and grenades valued at around $13 million, though authorities estimated the actual value at no more than $10 million.
The difference was allegedly distributed as illicit commissions through UAE-based companies and bank accounts.
The second transaction took place within the UAE, where over $2 million from the first deal was allegedly used to procure additional ammunition.
Part of the shipment was reportedly brought into the country using fraudulent methods, including transport via a private aircraft, in preparation for onward transfer.
Documents cited in the investigation indicated that the shipment was falsely labeled as “humanitarian aid/medical,” with the consignee listed as the “Federal Ministry of Health, Republic of Sudan,” despite containing weapons.
Authorities also said the network planned to expand the operation to smuggle up to five million rounds of ammunition across additional transactions, but the initial interception prevented further execution.
Evidence includes seized financial and commercial records, bank transfers, correspondence, communications, and confessions from several defendants, prosecutors said.
The case follows an earlier announcement on April 30, 2025, when the UAE Public Prosecution said security authorities foiled an attempt to illegally transport weapons to Port Sudan, leading to arrests.
The Public Prosecution stressed that the UAE “will not tolerate any attempt to exploit its territory, institutions or financial system for unlawful purposes,” adding that national security and sovereignty remain a “red line.” The case has now been formally referred for trial.
