Former UN Employees Charged in Illegal Arms Scheme

Two former United Nations employees in Montreal have been charged with participating in a conspiracy to sell Chinese-made drones and other military equipment in Libya. The alleged offenses occurred between 2018 and 2021 when the two men were working at the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency headquartered in Montreal.

The accused individuals, Fathi Ben Ahmed Mhaouek, 61, and Mahmud Mohamed Elsuwaye Sayeh, 37, are said to have violated UN sanctions related to the Libyan civil war. They attempted to sell Chinese military equipment, including large drones capable of carrying multiple missiles, to Libya, contravening Canadian federal regulations.

The scheme also involved plans to export Libyan oil to China, benefiting one of the main factions in the conflict led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar. The investigation revealed that the two men stood to gain millions of dollars in commissions if the illicit transactions had been successful.

Despite having diplomatic immunity due to their UN roles, the immunity was waived by ICAO to allow for their prosecution. While one suspect has been arrested, the other, Sayeh, remains at large with international alerts issued for his arrest.

The UN agency, ICAO, has pledged full cooperation with the police investigation and emphasized its commitment to upholding Canadian laws and ethical standards. The organization expressed condemnation for any actions inconsistent with its values.

The investigation, initiated in 2022 based on credible intelligence, sheds light on the illicit activities of these former UN employees and their attempt to profit from illegal arms sales and oil exports. The case underscores the importance of upholding international sanctions and preventing the misuse of diplomatic privileges for personal gain.