Prosecutors in the German city of Feldkirch have opened a criminal investigation into a potential involvement of a German logistics company in illegally shipping weapons to Sudan in violation of the international arms embargo. The prosecution confirmed to the German newspaper taz that it is “examining the possibility of a crime” related to the War Weapons Control Act.
The early-stage investigation focuses on Ship Raid Logistics (formerly BSL), German broker Peter S., and other parties. German customs authorities are conducting a separate probe.
However, questions have been raised about the seriousness and pace of the investigation, as no search of Ship Raid’s offices has yet been carried out, nor has the manager responsible for the shipment—identified as Christian—been interviewed as a witness or suspect, despite documents indicating he was aware of the shipment’s real destination.
The company has stated that it is “cooperating with authorities” and has provided all requested documents. No formal charges have been issued to date.
The investigation follows an extensive exposé by die tageszeitung (taz), a well-known German daily renowned for its independent left-leaning editorial line and in-depth investigative reporting.
The report—based on internal correspondence, shipping records, and bank documents—uncovered details of an illicit weapons deal dating back to late 2022.
According to the investigation, a network involving a German broker and Emirati arms dealers arranged the shipment of 122 mm howitzers and armored vehicles from Croatia. The cargo was loaded onto the vessel Aphrodite in mid-November 2022, with Djibouti listed as the official destination. However, internal communications obtained by taz revealed the shipment was ultimately bound for Sudan, with the Rapid Support Forces—led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”—identified as the intended recipient.
The shipment violated long-standing EU and UN arms embargoes imposed on Sudan due to the conflict in Darfur.
