Attorney General refers Port Sudan cargo case to court

- May 01, 2026 , by Maagulf

UAE: The UAE Attorney General, His Excellency Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has referred a case involving 13 individuals and six UAE-registered companies to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Court). The charges include illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery, and money laundering.
The referral follows an extensive public prosecution investigation, which found that the defendants had attempted to move a shipment of ammunition through the UAE to the Port Sudan Authority, thereby violating national laws.

Connections to an external procurement network
Investigators said the case is linked to procurement arrangements associated with the Port Sudan Authority’s armament committee, led by Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his deputy, Yasser Al Atta. Coordination was reportedly handled by Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed. Others, including Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh, also known as Salah Gosh, are alleged to have directed and organised the operation.

Nature of the charges
The defendants face serious offences under UAE law, including illicit arms trafficking, forgery of documents, misuse of official documents, and laundering proceeds of crime.

Two linked transactions
Prosecutors said the operation centred on two linked deals, which they carried out through front companies and financial channels intended to conceal their purpose.

The first deal, arranged outside the UAE, involved the supply of military equipment, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, and grenades. Although declared at $13 million, investigators assessed its actual value at about $10 million.

Additional funds were allegedly used to pay illegal commissions via UAE-based companies and bank accounts operating under false identities.

Second consignment routed through UAE
The next deal was on home soil, with more than $2 million from the first transaction used to buy another shipment of ammunition. Some of the cargo arrived in the UAE on a private plane, and its true nature remained unclear before the planned transfer to Port Sudan.

Officials intervene
Security agencies tracked the financial flows and shipments, halting the operation in midstream. The suspects were arrested, and the transfer of materials was thwarted.

Expanded smuggling schemes disclosed
Investigators also uncovered plans to move about five million rounds of Goryunov ammunition in six further transactions. The first shipment was stopped, and the plans were thwarted.

Presented evidence
The case file contains financial records, business documents, official correspondence and certified bank transfers.

Prosecutors say the material shows clear coordination among several of the accused, supported by detailed confessions.

Background to the case
On 30 April 2025, the Attorney General announced that authorities had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Port Sudan Authority. The arrests at the time laid the groundwork for the current case.

Firm stance from public prosecution
In a closing statement, the Public Prosecution asserted that the UAE prohibits the use of its territory, institutions, or financial systems for illicit purposes. It stated that the country prioritises its sovereignty and security and that the law will be strictly enforced against all those involved.

The named individuals who were the subject of the trial:

1. Rashed Omar Abdul Qader Ali;

2. Mohammed Al Fath Mohammed Beik;

3. Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh;

4. Abdullah Khalafallah;

5. Ahmed Rabie Sayed Ahmed Mohammed;

6. Yasser Abdulrahman Hassan Al Atta;

7. Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed;

8. Maher Abduljalil Mohammed Abduljalil;

9. Khaled Yousef Mukhtar Yousef;

10. Ahmed Khalafallah Abdullah Ahmed;

11. Mubarak Ali Al Sheikh Mohammed;