UN Paid $11M to Assad-Linked Syrian Security Firm
- This excerpt from an ICIJ report details how the Syrian regime, under Bashar al-Assad, systematically exploited United Nations contracts awarded to private security firms like Shorouk for financial...
- * Concealed Ownership & Ties to Regime: The Syrian government actively concealed the fact that firms like shorouk were linked to the regime, instructing them to falsely claim...
- In essence, the report reveals a deliberate scheme by the Assad regime to leverage UN funding for both security and financial benefits, operating under a veil of deception...
Summary of the ICIJ Report Excerpt: Syrian Regime Exploitation of UN Contracts
This excerpt from an ICIJ report details how the Syrian regime, under Bashar al-Assad, systematically exploited United Nations contracts awarded to private security firms like Shorouk for financial gain adn intelligence gathering. HereS a breakdown of the key findings:
* Concealed Ownership & Ties to Regime: The Syrian government actively concealed the fact that firms like shorouk were linked to the regime, instructing them to falsely claim independence from state authorities to the UN. A committee of intelligence officers even recommended lying to the UN.
* Intelligence Gathering: The regime saw these security contracts as a means to monitor UN personnel, fearing some officials might be providing intelligence to unfriendly agencies. faisal Mekdad, then Foreign Minister, explicitly stated the firms “serve as a safeguard against any suspicious activities” by UN employees.
* Financial Exploitation: The regime profited substantially from the contracts by manipulating exchange rates. The UN transferred USD to Syria’s Central Bank, which converted it to Syrian pounds at an artificially high official rate, allowing the state to pocket the difference.
* Lack of Transparency & UN awareness: The UN country team claims to have had no documentation or awareness of the regime’s efforts to ensure continued contracts for these firms. They also state they haven’t identified any instances of monitoring of UN officials by these firms.
* Defense of Contracts Despite Criticism: Despite growing criticism regarding the firms’ involvement in human rights abuses, UN officials actively defended the contracts and their operations in Syria.
* Denials from Company & Regime: Shorouk’s general manager denies knowledge of the memos outlining the regime’s plans and claims their guards do not spy on UN officials.
In essence, the report reveals a deliberate scheme by the Assad regime to leverage UN funding for both security and financial benefits, operating under a veil of deception and perhaps compromising the neutrality and security of UN operations within Syria.