عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

UAE Says Mediation Efforts Led to Russia, Ukraine Swap of Prisoners

Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
TT
TT

UAE Says Mediation Efforts Led to Russia, Ukraine Swap of Prisoners

Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)
Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate wearing Ukrainian flags upon their return to their homeland during a prisoner exchange with Russia on February 8, 2024 (dpa)

The United Arab Emirates said it succeeded in mediating the release of 100 Russian prisoners of war in exchange for 100 war prisoners from the Ukrainian side.
Russia's Defense Ministry, in a post on the Telegram messaging app, noted the UAE's "humanitarian mediation", as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian body overseeing exchanges of POWs.
The UAE's foreign ministry said it is the third mediation effort between Russia and Ukraine this year adding that it is calling for diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation, state news agency WAM reported.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

King Salman Appoints Al-Maiouf Deputy Head of Board of Grievances

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
TT
TT

King Salman Appoints Al-Maiouf Deputy Head of Board of Grievances

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued a royal decree appointing Sheikh Abdulmohsen Al-Maiouf as deputy head of the Board of Grievances for judicial affairs.

Dr. Al-Maiouf is a distinguished judicial and administrative figure with academic qualifications and extensive experience. He holds a doctorate degree in Islamic jurisprudence and comparative law.

Al-Maiouf has advanced through various positions within the Board of Grievances, serving in administrative and commercial departments and administrative appeals courts before eventually assuming the presidency of the Technical Affairs Office.

He has also served on numerous supervisory and governmental committees. He made outstanding contributions in the field of reviewing draft laws, regulations, and agreements, and participated in legal conferences and forums at both the Saudi and international levels.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Spain over Train Collision

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Spain over Train Collision

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the Kingdom of Spain over the train collision in Toledo province that caused deaths and injuries, SPA reported.

"Saudi Arabia expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Spain in the wake of this tragic incident, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured, and safety and security for Spain and its friendly people," the ministry said in a statement.

Gulf

UAE Sentences 8 Sudanese Defendants to Life in Prison over Arms Trafficking

The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants, including Sudanese military and security officials, to life imprisonment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants, including Sudanese military and security officials, to life imprisonment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

UAE Sentences 8 Sudanese Defendants to Life in Prison over Arms Trafficking

The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants, including Sudanese military and security officials, to life imprisonment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants, including Sudanese military and security officials, to life imprisonment (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants, including Sudanese military and security officials, to life imprisonment in a case involving the illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and military equipment for the Sudanese Army, as well as money laundering through commercial companies and bank accounts in the UAE.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include Salah Abdullah Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh; Yasser Abdulrahman Al Atta; Othman Al Zubair; Rashid Omar Abdul Qadir Ali; Ahmed Abdullah, known as Abdullah Khalafallah; Ahmed Rabie' Sayed Ahmed; Mohammed Fath Al Beik; and Maher Abdul Jalil.

The court also ordered the confiscation of seized items and the deportation of those convicted after serving their sentences.

Seven defendants were also sentenced to three years in prison for money laundering offenses, with those subject to fines ordered to pay AED1 million ($272,000) each. The court also ordered the confiscation of AED1.545 million ($421,000).

Six companies were fined AED1 million each, their licenses were revoked, and funds linked to the offenses were confiscated. Two other defendants were acquitted.

The grounds of the judgment revealed that the defendants had arranged two deals to supply weapons, ammunition and military equipment to the Sudanese Army without the required licenses.

The deals involved bringing Goryunov-type ammunition into the UAE in preparation for its transportation by air to Port Sudan, with shipping documents falsely declaring the cargo as medical equipment and supplies.

The court said payments for the military equipment were made through bank transfers and cash transactions, including AED8 million ($2.18 million) that Rashid Omar received from Maher Abdul Jalil as part of the payment for one of the deals.

According to the judgment, Yasser Al Atta, Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, requested the purchase of weapons and arranged for the aircraft to land in Port Sudan.

Othman Al Zubair, the Sudanese Army's financial official, oversaw payments to suppliers.

The court also established that Salah Gosh and several intermediaries played roles in coordinating the deals and collecting commissions.

The court concluded that the defendants had used companies, bank accounts and forged documents to channel funds associated with the arms deals and conceal their sources and destinations.

It found that the use of UAE territory and its financial system for these activities during the armed conflict in Sudan could harm the country's international relations and endanger its interests.

UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi had ordered the defendants to be referred to trial following investigations that uncovered an organized network engaged in illicit arms trafficking and money laundering linked to weapons deals.