The head of global ports operator DP World has left the company after mounting pressure over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's exit as chairman and chief executive comes after newly-released files showed the Emirati mogul appears to have exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a decade. Being mentioned in the files is not a sign of any wrongdoing, and the BBC has approached Sulayem for a comment.
DP World announced his resignation, 'effective immediately', on Friday, naming Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. A photograph of Sulayem appeared to have been removed from its website. DP World, the Dubai-owned logistics giant that runs port terminals across six continents and plays a significant role in global trade infrastructure, has come under increasing pressure over recent days from businesses it works with.
Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada's second largest pension fund La Caisse said they were suspending new investment into the firm. And the Prince of Wales' Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem appeared in the files.
The documents reveal what appears to have been a close and wide-ranging relationship between one of the Gulf's most influential business figures and Epstein. Sulayem was also accused by two US lawmakers, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, of being one of 'six powerful men' who were associated with the disgraced financier.
The congressmen, who co-sponsored the law that compelled the justice department to release the Epstein files last year, say they were improperly redacted. Among the redactions flagged by Massie on 9 February was a document appearing to show an email from Epstein in 2009 referring to a 'torture video'. The recipient replied that they would be travelling between China and the US. The context is not known.
US officials disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient behind that email from Epstein. According to a BBC News Arabic analysis of the documents, the emails appear to indicate Sulayem has been in contact with Epstein as far back as 2007. The trail of emails suggests the two developed a close friendship, regularly sending each other their travel plans, business ideas, and contacts as well as news articles and crude jokes. Epstein described Sulayem as 'one of his most trusted friends' in an email from June 2013.
Meanwhile, in several emails over the years, it would appear Sulayem sought Epstein's advice on health matters concerning himself, his daughter, and his wider family and friends. The emails also indicate these two maintained contact even after Epstein's first criminal conviction in 2008 for soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution.
The emails exchanged between Sulayem and Epstein also displayed discussions about women around them. An email sent from Sulayem to Epstein in 2013 disparaged one woman while praising another, showing a concerning pattern in their communications.
Additionally, it was revealed that Sulayem sought Epstein's counsel regarding various business ventures and requests for introductions to influential political figures, emphasizing a troubling association that ultimately influenced his company's standing and reputation in a global business landscape.
DP World announced his resignation, 'effective immediately', on Friday, naming Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. A photograph of Sulayem appeared to have been removed from its website. DP World, the Dubai-owned logistics giant that runs port terminals across six continents and plays a significant role in global trade infrastructure, has come under increasing pressure over recent days from businesses it works with.
Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada's second largest pension fund La Caisse said they were suspending new investment into the firm. And the Prince of Wales' Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem appeared in the files.
The documents reveal what appears to have been a close and wide-ranging relationship between one of the Gulf's most influential business figures and Epstein. Sulayem was also accused by two US lawmakers, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, of being one of 'six powerful men' who were associated with the disgraced financier.
The congressmen, who co-sponsored the law that compelled the justice department to release the Epstein files last year, say they were improperly redacted. Among the redactions flagged by Massie on 9 February was a document appearing to show an email from Epstein in 2009 referring to a 'torture video'. The recipient replied that they would be travelling between China and the US. The context is not known.
US officials disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient behind that email from Epstein. According to a BBC News Arabic analysis of the documents, the emails appear to indicate Sulayem has been in contact with Epstein as far back as 2007. The trail of emails suggests the two developed a close friendship, regularly sending each other their travel plans, business ideas, and contacts as well as news articles and crude jokes. Epstein described Sulayem as 'one of his most trusted friends' in an email from June 2013.
Meanwhile, in several emails over the years, it would appear Sulayem sought Epstein's advice on health matters concerning himself, his daughter, and his wider family and friends. The emails also indicate these two maintained contact even after Epstein's first criminal conviction in 2008 for soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution.
The emails exchanged between Sulayem and Epstein also displayed discussions about women around them. An email sent from Sulayem to Epstein in 2013 disparaged one woman while praising another, showing a concerning pattern in their communications.
Additionally, it was revealed that Sulayem sought Epstein's counsel regarding various business ventures and requests for introductions to influential political figures, emphasizing a troubling association that ultimately influenced his company's standing and reputation in a global business landscape.
