Abu Dhabi: Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney‑General of the UAE, has ordered the referral of 13 defendants and six UAE‑registered companies to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Court) on charges of illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery, and money laundering.The decision follows extensive investigations by the Public Prosecution, which revealed that the defendants attempted to pass a shipment of ammunition through UAE territory to the Port Sudan Authority, in clear violation of the laws and regulations in force in the country.Investigations found that the case is linked to procurement arrangements requested by the armament committee of the Port Sudan Authority, chaired by Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his deputy Yasser Al Atta, with coordination attributed to Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed. The scope of the charges also includes individuals alleged to have played roles in direction and coordination, including Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh.The defendants face charges of illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery and the use of official documents, as well as laundering proceeds derived from these crimes, constituting serious violations of UAE law.According to prosecutors, the operation was carried out through two interrelated transactions involving prior planning and the use of commercial and financial fronts to conceal its unlawful nature.In the first transaction, concluded outside the UAE, an agreement was reached to supply military materiel, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, and grenades, with a declared value of US$13 million, while its actual value did not exceed US$10 million. The difference was allocated as illicit commissions distributed among the defendants for facilitating the deal, with payments routed through licensed companies and bank accounts in the UAE under fictitious commercial cover.The second transaction was executed within the UAE using more than US$2 million from the proceeds of the first deal to procure an additional shipment of ammunition. Part of this shipment was brought into the country through fraudulent means to conceal its true nature, using a private aircraft in preparation for transfer to Port Sudan.The competent authorities succeeded in uncovering the operation, tracking financial flows and shipments, and foiling the scheme before its completion. The defendants were arrested, and the attempted transit of the military materiel was prevented.Investigations further revealed that the scheme extended beyond the seized shipment and included preparations to smuggle an additional five million rounds of Goryunov ammunition through six further transactions. Disrupting the first shipment prevented the execution of these plans.The investigation yielded conclusive evidence, including the seizure and analysis of financial and commercial records, documents, and official correspondence, as well as tracked bank transfers and cash flows linked to the transactions. The evidence also included confessions from several defendants and documented recordings and communications demonstrating coordination among those involved.The Attorney‑General had previously announced on 30 April 2025 that security authorities had foiled an attempt to pass weapons and military materiel through unlawful means to the Port Sudan Authority. This led to the arrest of individuals involved and formed the basis of the current case.In its concluding statement, the Public Prosecution stressed that the UAE will not tolerate any attempt to exploit its territory, institutions, or financial system for unlawful purposes, affirming that the sovereignty and security of the state are a red line and that the law will be applied with full firmness to all those involved.The individuals referred to trial are:Rashed Omar Abdul Qader AliMohammed Al Fath Mohammed BeikSalah Abdallah Mohammed SalehAbdullah KhalafallahAhmed Rabie Sayed Ahmed MohammedYasser Abdulrahman Hassan Al AttaOthman Mohammed Al Zubair MohammedMaher Abduljalil Mohammed AbduljalilKhaled Yousef Mukhtar YousefAhmed Khalafallah Abdullah AhmedMubarak Ali Al Sheikh MohammedOthman Bakr Ali KarrarMusab Awad Al Karim Hassan MohammedThe six companies referred to trial are:Rashed Omar Brokerage CompanyPortex Trade LimitedWardat Al Masarra Trading CompanySudamina CompanyYellow Sand Trading CompanyApollara Electronics Trading Company

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured the winners of the 'Erth Dubai Awards' in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The awards, one of the largest initiatives dedicated to cultural and social documentation, recognise contributions to preserving Dubai’s living memory, strengthening national identity, and enhancing community documentation as a pillar of collective awareness and identity.The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Museum of the Future, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee; Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, along with a number of ministers and senior officials.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that Dubai’s journey towards global leadership is rooted in a strong identity and a living memory that form an integral part of its development model. He noted that preserving heritage and documenting cultural and social transformations strengthens society’s ability to progress with confidence, ensuring sustainable growth that balances authenticity and modernity. His Highness stated that the visionary leadership and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have firmly embedded history and cultural identity within Dubai’s development, stressing that documenting collective memory is a strategic choice that reinforces Dubai’s standing as a global model of leadership and cultural depth.“Today, we honoured the winners of one of the most important cultural and social awards that celebrate our identity and preserve our memory. There were 25,000 submissions from citizens and residents, as well as institutions and schools, all united by one story: the story of Dubai,” His Highness said. “We congratulate the winners and thank everyone who contributed to documenting and preserving our heritage. The story of Dubai will continue to be told through its people. Whoever does not document their legacy will be forgotten by time, but Dubai will not be forgotten,” he added.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan added that Dubai has always been a welcoming home to people, their stories, and their ambitions, noting that a valuable knowledge legacy is being passed on to future generations by documenting the city’s development, preserving its stories, and reinforcing identity and belonging.He also noted that strong community engagement with the awards reflects a growing awareness among Dubai’s residents of their role in documenting history, stressing that this responsibility now extends beyond institutions to society as a whole. He affirmed that the Government of Dubai will continue to support and sustain this legacy as a source of inspiration for the future.Sheikh Hamdan added that the true value of the award goes beyond recognition, as it contributes to building a society rooted in authenticity and pride, and praised the creativity across all categories as evidence that Dubai’s heritage remains alive through its people.Over 12 months since its launch, the Erth Dubai initiative recorded more than 14 million interactions across its platforms and received 25,238 submissions from 54 private and 38 government entities. It produced 16,128 documentation materials, including historical photographs and rare documents, forming a comprehensive archive that reflects strong community engagement and enriches Dubai’s cultural and social heritage.Award categoriesThe Grand Prize, worth AED 1 million, was awarded to Nasser bin Ahmed bin Issa bin Nasser Al Serkal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to documenting Dubai’s cultural and social heritage.The awards also recognised winners across various categories. Ghith Mattar Sultan Al Qamzi won the Best Family Heritage Documentation award; Ahmed Ayoub Mohammed Noor Abdul Karim won Best Oral Heritage Documentation; Abdulrahim Mohammed Balghoz Al Zarouni was named winner of Best Creatively Documented Entry; and Mohammed Sultan bin Thani won the Best Social Media Contribution category.In the resident category, Shaukat Ali Rana Mohammed Rafi was recognised for Best Contribution by a Resident, highlighting Dubai’s cultural diversity.Among institutions, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority was named Best Government Entity, Uncle’s Shop was recognised as Best Private Sector Entity, and New Academy School was awarded Best Educational Institution, in recognition of their support for the initiative and strong community engagement.At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took a commemorative photograph with the winners.Specialised juryAll submissions were evaluated by a specialised jury chaired by His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation. Jury members included Dr Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the National Archives; Saeed Al Suwaidi, Research Expert at the UAE National Archives; Mariam Al Tamimi, Acting Director of Heritage Sites Management at the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and Ahmed Saeed Al Sharid, General Coordinator of the Erth Dubai initiative.The Erth Dubai initiative announced plans to publish 100 books featuring stories from Dubai’s residents in its next phase, creating accessible references for the public and researchers that enrich the city’s cultural identity. The initiative continues to receive online submissions, encouraging the community to document their stories and experiences to preserve Dubai’s cultural and social heritage for future generations.