Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem

Emails published in 2026 show that Epstein relayed requests concerning guarantees and support for DP World's London Gateway project, championed by bin Sulayem, to Peter Mandelson, then a British minister.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Epstein files show correspondence between bin Sulayem and Epstein continuing for more than a decade after the 2008 conviction, involving personal exchanges, plans for visits, business discussions and international introductions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Messages attributed to bin Sulayem and Epstein contain explicit exchanges about sex, Russian women, massages and sexual services. Their publication was among the most damaging elements for the executive's reputation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Documents relating to the purchase of Great St James show a company and paperwork naming bin Sulayem as beneficial owner or apparent source of funds in order to conceal Epstein's identity from the seller. A draft limited power of attorney in his name was also found.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following revelations about bin Sulayem's messages with Epstein, Canadian investment fund La Caisse and British International Investment suspended new commitments alongside DP World and asked the company to clarify the situation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

DP World announced bin Sulayem's immediate resignation as Group Chairman and CEO at the height of pressure sparked by the new Epstein files. Other official responsibilities in Dubai were also affected during the crisis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After British Transport Secretary Louise Haigh described P&O Ferries as a 'rogue operator', DP World suspended the announcement of a £1 billion investment at London Gateway and bin Sulayem cancelled his planned attendance at a government summit.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

P&O Ferries, a DP World subsidiary, abruptly dismissed nearly 800 British seafarers to replace them with cheaper agency staff. Its CEO admitted to Parliament that he had deliberately bypassed legally required consultation. Bin Sulayem subsequently praised management's work, stating that restructuring had saved the company and thousands of jobs.

State of the evidence

Documented

Djibouti unilaterally retook control of the Doraleh terminal and purported to terminate DP World's concession. The group led by bin Sulayem initiated a lengthy international arbitration dispute.

State of the evidence

Documented

Djibouti alleged that payments and equity interests granted to Abdourahman Boreh had secured favourable terms for the port concession obtained by DP World. The litigation involved serious corruption allegations surrounding a central operation of the group led by bin Sulayem.

State of the evidence

Allegations

In October 2008, bin Sulayem was still asserting that Dubai World and Dubai's property sector would withstand the crisis. In November 2009, the group requested a moratorium on tens of billions of dollars of debt, shaking markets. He was replaced as chairman of Nakheel in March 2010 and Dubai World in December.

State of the evidence

Documented

Under bin Sulayem's chairmanship, DP World acquired P&O, which would have placed terminal operations in several major US ports under the control of a Dubai-owned company. Bipartisan opposition in Congress cited national security concerns, prompting DP World to dispose of the American assets.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility