The FBI has launched an investigation into Erik Prince, the former head of the private security firm Blackwater and an ally of former US President Donald Trump, over his alleged involvement in illegal arms sales and money laundering. The probe is also examining Prince’s connections with foreign intelligence and military entities, including his reported support for rogue military commander Khalifa Haftar.
According to the “Washington Babylon” newspaper, the investigation focuses on three main areas. Firstly, Prince is suspected of facilitating the illegal transfer of weapons to Haftar, a violation of the international arms embargo on Libya. Prince is alleged to have played a significant role in assisting Haftar during his 2019 attempt to overthrow Libya’s internationally recognized government.
The investigation also scrutinizes whether Prince’s laundered money is linked to his support for Haftar. The United Nations has estimated the cost of Prince’s assistance to Haftar at $80 million, with much of the funding reportedly originating from the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, the FBI is exploring the broader relationship between Prince and Haftar, particularly Prince’s involvement in providing military support and operational planning for Haftar’s forces.
