A London court has sentenced British arms dealer David Greenhagg to 16 years in prison for his role in arranging unauthorized arms deals, including plans to supply fighter jets and weapons to Libya. Greenhagg, 68, was convicted in June of 10 charges related to the illegal supply of arms between 2009 and 2016. The convictions included charges related to the supply of AK-47 rifles, tanks, and ammunition.
The court heard that Greenhagg and his co-defendant, Greek national Christos Farmakis, 48, had sought to circumvent arms export restrictions in order to make significant profits. Their activities involved deals related not only to Libya but also to Sudan, South Sudan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Farmakis was also sentenced to 16 years in prison in absentia.
According to Reuters, the British authorities discovered the illicit arms deals after Farmakis, who worked for a government-funded organization, used his work email to arrange private arms deals. One of the emails was inadvertently sent to his supervisor, allowing authorities to access documents related to the sale of fighter jets and other arms to Libya.
The court found that Greenhagg and Farmakis had repeatedly attempted to evade arms export restrictions. Their activities involved a range of illicit arms deals, including the supply of fighter jets and other military equipment to Libya in the aftermath of the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
Greenhagg and Farmakis were convicted of multiple charges related to the illicit supply of arms. The investigation into their activities was carried out by British authorities, who worked to uncover the extent of their operations. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to prevent the illicit trade in arms.
The sentencing of Greenhagg and Farmakis marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to prevent the illicit trade in arms. The case demonstrates the willingness of law enforcement agencies to pursue and prosecute individuals involved in such activities. The 16-year prison sentences handed down to Greenhagg and Farmakis reflect the seriousness with which the authorities view these offenses.
The illicit arms trade is a major concern for governments and law enforcement agencies around the world. The case of Greenhagg and Farmakis highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to prevent the unauthorized supply of arms. The investigation into their activities and their subsequent prosecution demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackling this issue.
Key points
- A London court sentenced British arms dealer David Greenhagg to 16 years in prison for arranging unauthorized arms deals, including plans to supply fighter jets and weapons to Libya.
- Greenhagg and his co-defendant, Christos Farmakis, were convicted of multiple charges related to the illicit supply of arms to Libya and other countries.
- The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to prevent the illicit trade in arms and the willingness of authorities to pursue and prosecute individuals involved in such activities.
