DP World Chairman and CEO Resigns Following Epstein Email Disclosures
The head of global ports operator DP World has departed from the company amid increasing scrutiny over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's resignation as chairman and chief executive follows the release of newly disclosed files indicating that the Emirati businessman exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a period of ten years.
It is important to note that being named in the files does not imply any wrongdoing. The BBC has reached out to Sulayem for comment.
New Leadership Appointed at DP World
On Friday, DP World announced the appointment of Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. The company did not mention Sulayem in the announcement, and a photograph of the Dubai-based businessman appears to have been removed from the company’s website.
DP World Faces Pressure from Investors and Partners
DP World, a Dubai-owned logistics conglomerate operating port terminals across six continents and playing a pivotal role in global trade infrastructure, has encountered mounting pressure from business partners in recent days.
Earlier this week, the UK’s development finance agency and La Caisse, Canada’s second-largest pension fund, announced they were suspending new investments in the firm.
Additionally, the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot project, which has received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission following Sulayem’s appearance in the files.
Details of the Relationship Between Sulayem and Epstein
The documents reveal what appears to be a close and extensive relationship between one of the Gulf region’s most influential business figures and Epstein.
Two US lawmakers, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, have accused Sulayem of being among "six powerful men" associated with the disgraced financier.
The congressmen, who co-sponsored legislation that compelled the Justice Department to release the Epstein files last year, have stated that the documents were improperly redacted.
Among the redactions highlighted by Massie on 9 February was a document that appears to show an email from Epstein in 2009 referencing a "torture video." The recipient responded that they would be traveling between China and the US. The context of this exchange remains unclear.
US officials have disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient of that email from Epstein.
