The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday that they had uncovered a plot to illegally traffic Chinese military equipment to Libya, which involved employees of a UN organization in Montreal.
The RCMP specified in a press release that the two suspects in this case are former employees of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN body headquartered in downtown Montreal. Police believe they may have plotted to facilitate the export of Chinese drones and other military equipment to Libya while they were still in office.
“Through foreign front companies, the individuals behind the plot allegedly circumvented international sanctions in force to facilitate illegal activities,” the police force said in a press release.
Conspiracy charges have been filed against Fathi Ben Ahmed Mhaouek, 61, of Sainte-Catherine and Mahmud Mohamed Elsuwaye Sayeh, 37. The first was arrested and must appear Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. The second is still wanted and is now the subject of a red notice from the international police alliance Interpol.
The charges relate to the United Nations Act and its Regulations Implementing United Nations Resolutions and Special Economic Measures Targeting Libya. The export of different types of military equipment to Libya is restricted by UN resolutions.
According to the RCMP, shell companies were used to hide the real identities of buyers and sellers. As part of the deals, groups in Libya allegedly sold oil to Chinese buyers to obtain military equipment in return.