Emirati Vigilance Thwarts Financial Crimes Threatening State Security
The Attorney General refers an organized criminal gang consisting of over one hundred individuals to trial for committing crimes that threaten the state's security, public order, and social peace.
Attorney General Ahmed Saif Al-Shamsi has referred an organized criminal gang consisting of over one hundred individuals to the State Security Court of the Federal Appeal Court in Abu Dhabi, following investigations that lasted more than seven months. These individuals are accused of committing crimes that threaten the state’s security, public order, and social peace. This action is part of the UAE‘s strategy to implement a set of significant measures aimed at combating financial crime and enhancing the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution revealed the involvement of more than one hundred defendants in the formation, management, and membership of a criminal organization called the “Bahlool Gang,” which aimed to carry out illegal activities, collect illicit funds, and share the proceeds of these crimes. They exercised their influence and power in the areas where they operated, promoting their criminal activities via social media, while using weapons and tools prohibited by law to spread fear and terror among their victims with the aim of extorting money coercively, and to obscure the origin of the illegally obtained funds through money laundering.
The Attorney General emphasized that the Public Prosecution will not hesitate to apply the law firmly against anyone who dares to commit such criminal acts or threatens the security of citizens and residents throughout the country.
He also stressed that law enforcement agencies act with great vigilance to preserve the state’s security and the tranquility of residents on its territory.
The Attorney General urged all those who consider the UAE a safe country to immediately report these crimes as soon as they become aware of them to avoid their serious consequences.
The UAE displays transparency in revealing information related to these cases, having recently unveiled cases and trials related to cells and terrorist elements. On August 2, the Emirati Public Prosecution revealed the existence of a new secret organization outside the country, formed by fugitive members of the “Al-Islah” group (Emirati Muslim Brotherhood), classified as a terrorist organization and dissolved in 2013. They sought to reactivate the group and achieve its objectives, but the UAE’s firmness in combating terrorism and repressing plots aimed at harming its interests contributed to revealing this organization.
Investigations also showed that this organization had formed alliances with other terrorist groups and organizations, working together in the media, economic, and educational sectors to strengthen their ties, obtain funding, consolidate the group’s existence, and strengthen its means of protection abroad to achieve its goals.
Last July, the Federal Appeal Court of Abu Dhabi sentenced 53 people, including leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as six companies, in the case known as the “Justice and Dignity Terrorist Organization.” Sentences ranging from life imprisonment to fines of 20 million dirhams (5.44 million dollars) were handed down.
The court examined the case during more than ten sessions, ensuring that all defendants were granted their legal rights and guarantees, allowing them to choose their lawyers, or in the absence of a lawyer, appointing one for each. The defense of the defendants and their lawyers was heard, and the written defense briefs were considered.
The UAE possesses highly experienced security services, recognized internationally, to combat terrorist organizations and counter the spread of extremism in the region and the world. This comprehensive strategy combines strict legislation to curb the activities of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorist organizations, as well as religious awareness promoting tolerance and rejecting hate based on religious and sectarian motives.
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Last July, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chaired the 21st meeting of the Higher Committee for the Supervision of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Strategy.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the positive performance and progress made in the national efforts to combat money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. He stressed that the UAE takes its role in protecting the integrity of the global financial system very seriously and remains firmly committed to combating financial crimes globally, while strengthening international cooperation in this area and developing strategies to reduce risks.
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During the meeting, the national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategy for the 2024-2027 period was reviewed, and a recommendation was approved to be submitted to the Cabinet. This strategy includes a comprehensive monitoring framework aimed at strengthening and expanding the achievements obtained during the previous national strategy (2020-2023), covering key objectives in all areas, including deepening the understanding of risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and weapons proliferation, as well as aligning the legal and regulatory framework with international standards, and strengthening risk-based supervision for the financial institutions, companies, and non-financial professions sectors, as well as virtual asset service providers in the country.
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The UAE continues to gradually reveal suspicious movements related to its security, both inside and outside the country. The Executive Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing in the UAE published its first annual report for the year 2023, highlighting the country’s significant achievements and strategic initiatives aimed at combating financial crimes, in order to preserve the integrity and sustainability of the country’s financial and economic system.
The report highlights the most important developments in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in the UAE in 2023, as well as the roles of the national system, including the Higher Committee for the Supervision of the National Strategy, the Executive Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing as the national coordinator, and various authorities and committees, as well as the working groups of supervisory authorities and law enforcement, to develop the national system supporting the effectiveness and sustainability of the state’s strategy in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
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Last February, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed the UAE from the grey list, which placed the country under increased monitoring in terms of money laundering and terrorist financing. This decision came after the organization conducted an on-site visit earlier in the year.
The recently established Executive Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing in the UAE has intensified its efforts to dismantle money laundering networks.
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The Emirati government announced in a statement that it had seized assets worth more than 925 million dirhams (252 million dollars) in connection with violations of anti-money laundering practices and procedures.
The Director General of the Executive Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing, Hamid Al-Zaabi, stated that “combating financial crimes is an absolute national priority, and we remain committed to continuing these efforts in the future.”
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The UAE has also arrested or extradited several individuals wanted for financial crimes, including British citizen Sanjay Shah, accused in a 1.7 billion-dollar tax fraud case in Denmark, as well as Rajesh and Atul Gupta, allegedly involved in corruption during the tenure of former South African President Jacob Zuma.
Last year, the UAE Central Bank also revoked the license of the Russian bank MTS, following the imposition of US and UK sanctions.
