The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal has convicted several individuals involved in an illicit weapons trafficking and money laundering network linked to the supply of arms, ammunition and military equipment to the Sudanese Army.
According to the court's ruling, the network used commercial companies, bank transfers and cash payments to facilitate arms deals and conceal the true source and destination of funds.
The court found that weapons and ammunition were obtained and prepared for shipment to Port Sudan, while cargo documentation falsely described the shipments as medical equipment and supplies.
Eight defendants received life sentences, while others were handed prison terms and fines. Those convicted of money laundering were also ordered to pay fines of AED 1 million each.
The court ordered the confiscation of seized ammunition, communication devices and more than AED 1.5 million in funds linked to the case.
Convicted individuals will be deported from the UAE after serving their sentences.
Six companies were also fined AED 1 million each for money laundering offences. The court ordered the cancellation of their licences and registrations and the confiscation of funds tied to the illegal activities.
Two defendants were acquitted.
The court said the network used forged documents, companies and bank accounts to carry out the arms transactions and launder proceeds from the deals.
It noted that the activities took place against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Sudan and found that the use of UAE territory and its financial system for such operations risked harming the country's interests and international relations.
The defendants were referred to trial following an investigation ordered by UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi.
Yasser Al Atta, Salah Gosh, Othman Al Zubair, five others sentenced to life imprisonment in arms trafficking, money laundering case#WamNews https://t.co/VO0l9bBPWO pic.twitter.com/zcM1DJfRuZ
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) October 29, 2026
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