Documents link head of Taliban contractor DP World to Jeffrey Epstein scandal
Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice show that Sultan Ahmed bin Salim, president of DP World, a company contracted by the Taliban, maintained personal and extensive relations with Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious American sex offender, and corresponded with him about his own sexual experiences.
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie accused bin Salim on Tuesday of sending Epstein an email containing a "torture video." Massie claimed to have viewed an uncensored version of bin Salim's emails to Epstein and posted one on his X account. In the email dated April 24, 2009, Epstein wrote to bin Salim: "Where are you? Are you well? I liked the torture video." Bin Salim replied the next day: "I'm in China and will be in the U.S. the second week of May."
Newsweek reported that bin Salim and DP World have not responded to the allegations. On December 6, 2024, a DP World representative signed an "investment conditional agreement" with the Taliban Ministry of Finance at the office of Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Abdullah Azzam, head of Baradar's office, stated the deal would facilitate development of Afghanistan's ports and commercial crossings.
Under the contract, DP World committed to modernizing the Hairatan port in the north and Torkham in the east. The Taliban has not provided clear information on the legal details, and the Ministry of Finance issued no official statement, with news coming only from Baradar's office.
Following reports of bin Salim's ties to Epstein, Canada's Quebec Pension Plan announced it was halting investments in DP World projects, where it had committed $366 million.
U.S. Justice Department emails indicate bin Salim continued close contact with Epstein years after his 2008 conviction for sex trafficking and child abuse, with correspondence lasting until less than a year before Epstein's 2019 suicide in jail. The emails include bin Salim describing women he encountered sexually, such as detailing one's age, weight, and height in June 2013, and sending a list of prostitution prices in Tokyo in December 2013.
More in Economy
Prolonged Closure of Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Crossings Paralyzes Trade
Taliban Conflict Over Badakhshan Gold Mine Halts Local Residents' Work, Sources Say
Taliban Announce Approval of Plans for Agricultural Development and Fish Farming
Third Private Sector Working Group Meeting of Doha Process Held in Kabul
ReliableProlonged Closure of Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Crossings Paralyzes Trade
Prolonged closure of five Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossings, including Torkham, has paralyzed trade for over three months, stranding hundreds of trucks and causing major losses, amid mutual accusations between Pakistan and the Taliban.
DevelopingTaliban Conflict Over Badakhshan Gold Mine Halts Local Residents' Work, Sources Say
A clash between the Taliban governor and local fighters in Badakhshan's Shahr-e Buzurg district has halted local residents' access to gold mines, despite a ministry decree prioritizing them, sources said.
ReliableTaliban Announce Approval of Plans for Agricultural Development and Fish Farming
Taliban's deputy economic prime minister's office approved national policies for agriculture and livestock development, plus a fish farming expansion plan projected to create up to 300,000 jobs, pending final approval.
ReliableThird Private Sector Working Group Meeting of Doha Process Held in Kabul
The third Private Sector Working Group meeting of the Doha Process convened in Kabul, hosted by UNAMA, with Taliban officials sharing economic achievements and discussing alternative livelihoods, job creation, and women's participation amid citizen concerns over sidelined issues.