Financial institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom have put a hold on future collaborations with DP World amid revelations from a trove of emails that highlight a longstanding friendship between the logistics company’s CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
These emails, which include discussions about pornography, sexual massages, and escorts, were among documents recently unveiled by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein. DP World, a major player in global logistics, operates the Jebel Ali port in Dubai, along with various terminals worldwide.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World’s chairman and CEO, has come under scrutiny after U.S. authorities linked his name to an email from Epstein stating, “I loved the torture video.”
In light of the email disclosures, British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, announced a suspension of new investments with DP World pending necessary actions by the company. Similarly, La Caisse, one of Canada’s largest pension funds, issued a comparable statement.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. The emails do not suggest any involvement of Sulayem in Epstein’s alleged criminal activities. DP World has yet to respond to repeated requests for comment.
The specifics of the ‘torture video’ mentioned in the email remain unclear.
In 2009, Epstein wrote in an email, “where are you? are you ok , I loved the torture video.”
The recipient, whose email was redacted, replied, “I am in china I will be in the US 2nd week of may.”
On Monday, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie posted a picture of the redacted emails on X, saying “A Sultan seems to have sent this” and that the Justice Department should “make this public.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche responded to Massie’s post that “the Sultan’s name is available unredacted in the files” and cited another document that names “Sultan Bin Sulayem.”
What have La Caisse and British International Investment said?
La Caisse said in an statement that it’s pausing new “capital deployment” with DP World. “We have made it clear to the company that we expect it to shed light on the situation and take the necessary actions.”
British International Investment said through a spokesperson that they “are shocked by the allegations emerging in the Epstein files regarding Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.”
Neither organization is an investor in DP World, but they both have invested alongside the company in port projects around the world.
What do the emails between Epstein and Sulayem say?
The topics range widely, including President Donald Trump, sex and theology.
In one email from 2013, Epstein wrote to Sulayem that “you are one of my most trusted friends in very sense of the word, you have never let me down.”
In response, Sulayem said, “Thank you my friend I am off the sample a fresh 100% female Russian at my yacht.”
That same year, Sulayem sent Epstein an email showing a menu for a massage business which included sexual offerings. Two years later, Sulayem texted Epstein a link to a porn site, and, in 2017, Epstein sent Sulayem a link to an escort website.
Epstein e-mailed with Sulayem about Steve Bannon, the Trump acolyte, in 2018, saying “you will like him.” In another exchange, Sulayem asked Epstein about an event where it appeared Trump would be in attendance.
“Do you think it will be possible to shake hand with trump,” Sulayem asked.
Epstein replied: “Call to discuss.”
Who is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem?
He’s chairman and CEO of logistics giant DP World, which has long been a pillar of Dubai’s economy.
The company runs the city’s sprawling Jebel Ali port and operates cargo terminals in ports around the globe.
Sulayem previously had a larger role as chairman of the Dubai World conglomerate, which at the time included the property developer Nakheel. That company was behind the creation of manmade islands in the shape of palm trees and a map of the world that helped cement Dubai’s status as an up-and-coming global city.
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The AP is reviewing the documents released by the Justice Department in collaboration with journalists from CBS, NBC, MS NOW and CNBC. Journalists from each newsroom are working together to examine the files and share information about what is in them. Each outlet is responsible for its own independent news coverage of the documents.
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