Dubai Port CEO Resigns After Name Surfaces in Epstein Documents

The head of Dubai's massive port company DP World stepped down after his connections to Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in Justice Department files. The documents show Epstein worked to build influential networks across the Middle East, including relationships with business and political leaders.

The resignation of Dubai port company DP World’s top executive represents the most significant Middle Eastern consequence stemming from Justice Department documents that reveal how Jeffrey Epstein worked to establish influential connections with political and business figures throughout the region.

DP World made the announcement Friday that Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem had stepped down from his positions as CEO and chairman. Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that the company made this decision after Bin Sulayem’s connections to Epstein came under increased examination following the release of the government documents.

The correspondence between the two men included discussions about Bin Sulayem’s romantic encounters with women Epstein had introduced to him. In one email from November 9, 2007, Bin Sulayem informed Epstein about meeting one such woman in New York, though he stated no sexual contact occurred.

“Yes after several attempts for several months we managed to meet in NY,” Bin Sulayem wrote, explaining there had been confusion because “she wanted some BUSINESS! while i only wanted some PUSSYNESS!”

Dubai’s leadership also issued an official order Friday naming a replacement chairman for Dubai’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, another position Bin Sulayem had occupied.

While Reuters could only verify portions of the Epstein documents concerning Bin Sulayem, sources confirmed his departure was connected to the files, though they provided no additional specifics. Neither Bin Sulayem nor DP World responded to requests for comment regarding his resignation.

Email exchanges show Epstein characterizing Bin Sulayem as humorous, reliable, and passionate about food. Epstein noted that Bin Sulayem, who practices Islam, abstains from alcohol and maintains his daily prayer schedule.

A photograph without a date stamp, appearing in an email and available publicly, depicts Epstein and Bin Sulayem cooking side by side, appearing comfortable in each other’s company. The complete identity of the email recipient remains unclear.

Bin Sulayem has made no public statements regarding Epstein’s characterizations or their email correspondence.

While appearing in these documents doesn’t indicate illegal conduct, Congressional members highlighting Bin Sulayem’s presence in the Justice Department files prompted renewed questioning from some of DP World’s financial supporters about his historical associations.

Bin Sulayem offered no public response to these concerns. British International Investment, the UK’s development finance organization, along with Canada’s second-largest pension fund, announced last week they would halt all new DP World investments due to Bin Sulayem’s alleged Epstein connections.

“We are shocked by the allegations emerging in the Epstein Files regarding Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,” a BII representative stated, without specifying which claims prompted concern. “In light of the allegations, we will not be making any new investments with DP World until the required actions have been taken by the company.”

Canadian pension fund La Caisse announced it was “pausing additional capital deployment alongside the company” pending DP World’s clarification of the matter and implementation of “the necessary actions.”

Following Friday’s DP World leadership transition, BII expressed approval of the company’s actions and anticipated continuing “our partnership to advance the development of key African trading ports.” La Caisse stated “the company took the appropriate measures” and would “move quickly to work with DP World’s new leadership to continue our partnership on port projects around the world.”

The extensive collection of Justice Department documents, encompassing text messages and emails, demonstrates that Epstein’s strategy of leveraging his wealth to cultivate relationships with influential figures in politics, finance, academia, and business extended globally, including the Middle East.

Reuters could not determine Epstein’s success level in attempting to influence his Middle Eastern contacts or whether they followed his guidance.

The Justice Department materials examined by Reuters reveal Epstein’s attempts to counsel Qatari business and political leaders during the 2017-2021 economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. These nations accused Qatar of maintaining inappropriate ties with Iran and supporting terrorism, allegations Qatar rejected.

In communications with Qatari businessman and royal family member Sheikh Jabor Yousuf Jassim Al Thani, Epstein recommended Qatar “stop kicking and arguing…let the heat come down a bit.” He criticized “the current Qatar team is very weak” and stated “FM is not experienced and it shows.”

The foreign minister during that period was Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who currently holds both foreign minister and prime minister roles. Sheikh Mohammed has not publicly addressed Epstein’s assessment. Qatar’s International Media Office, responsible for prime ministerial media inquiries, declined commentary when asked about these exchanges.

Reuters received no responses to comment requests sent to three Qatari companies listing Sheikh Jabor as chairman, nor to a text message sent to someone the Justice Department files identify as working in Sheikh Jabor’s office.

Epstein encouraged Qatar to establish Israeli connections to maintain favorable relations with then-President Donald Trump during his initial term. He proposed either moving toward Israeli recognition or contributing $1 billion to a terrorism victims’ fund. Qatar ultimately maintained its independent approach. The blockading nations restored Qatar relations in 2021, and current Trump administration-Qatar ties remain robust.

Epstein engaged in extensive email discussions about Saudi Aramco’s planned initial public offering. In a September 10, 2016 exchange with someone identified as Aziza Alahmadi, copying former Norwegian diplomat Terje Roed-Larsen, Epstein cautioned that Aramco’s public listing could expose Saudi Arabia to legal action and asset confiscation. Saudi Aramco declined to comment on these communications.

Reuters could not contact Alahmadi for comment and was unable to determine her involvement, if any, in Epstein’s activities.

In an October 16, 2017 email also sent to Alahmadi, Epstein proposed offering China an option to purchase a $100-billion Aramco stake instead of pursuing a conventional IPO, arguing this would provide liquidity while reducing public market exposure.

Saudi Aramco refused Reuters’ request for comment regarding the emails. Roed-Larsen did not immediately respond to an email comment request sent through his attorney.

The Justice Department documents show Epstein’s influence reached Egypt as well. Some emails reveal a 2011 request from Hosni Mubarak’s family member – specifically his son Gamal Mubarak’s wife – seeking Epstein’s assistance following the former president’s removal from power and subsequent legal difficulties. The documents don’t specify what help was requested, and Reuters couldn’t establish whether Epstein attempted to intervene for the family.

Reuters sent comment requests to two attorneys who represented Gamal Mubarak, one by email and another by text message, but received no immediate responses.