Recent documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a close friendship between a UAE magnate and the late Jeffrey Epstein, resulting in Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem being removed from his position as chairman and CEO of one of the world's largest port companies — DP World.
In his role as chairman and CEO of DP World, which operates in over 80 countries, bin Sulayem held a significant position in international trade for three decades. On Friday, the Dubai Government Media Office announced the appointment of new leadership for the company, not mentioning bin Sulayem's name, although representatives of DP World confirmed the leadership change to CNN.
Epstein described bin Sulayem in his messages as "cheerful," "educated," "a master of his craft," and "the best and truest friend."
The correspondence between them reveals a long-standing friendship marked by derogatory comments about women, business proposals, and even mentions of an alleged torture video that drew the attention of the U.S. Congress.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice released several new names, including bin Sulayem. However, the mere mention of his name in the documents does not constitute proof of any wrongdoing, and bin Sulayem has not been charged in connection with the Epstein case.
Their correspondence continued at least until 2009, when Epstein was released from prison after pleading guilty to charges related to child prostitution. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on new charges of sexual assault and human trafficking, having pleaded not guilty.
Bin Sulayem, a prominent businessman from the UAE, often appeared in the company of the ruler of Dubai and was seen in photos with U.S. President Donald Trump.
In January, he attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, and in November of last year, he participated in a live broadcast of the Global Perspectives program on CNN International, as well as at the award ceremony for the winners of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament in Dubai.
According to reports, two investors — a British investment platform and a Canadian pension fund — suspended deals with DP World following the release of the documents. However, after the leadership change, the pension fund told CNN that DP World "has taken appropriate measures" to continue cooperation.
Bin Sulayem has a high profile that aligns with many other influential figures mentioned in Epstein's cases, highlighting how Epstein used his connections with businessmen and politicians to forge relationships with the global elite.
Although bin Sulayem's name is not widely known in the U.S., the recent publication has brought him into the spotlight in Washington.
In 2009, Epstein sent bin Sulayem an email asking, "Where are you? Are you okay? I really enjoyed the torture video." This message was initially edited by the Department of Justice.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky, who accessed the unedited version of the document, confirmed that the recipient was "the sultan." U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added that the recipient's name appears in another unedited document related to an email from bin Sulayem.
It is unclear what "the torture video" refers to. Representatives of DP World declined to comment on the matter when contacted by CNN before bin Sulayem was removed from his position. CNN also attempted to reach bin Sulayem but was unsuccessful.
Business and Diplomatic Bridge
Recent documents mention that Epstein and bin Sulayem exchanged contacts and discussed trips to Epstein's Caribbean island, where, according to victim testimonies, he repeatedly committed sexual violence.
Bin Sulayem also shared with Epstein stories of meetings with world leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and former British Prime Minister David Cameron in September 2015.
Epstein also advised bin Sulayem on how to approach the British government for funding a major DP World project in London. In September 2009, bin Sulayem forwarded Epstein a letter addressed to Peter Mandelson, then the UK Secretary of State for Business, requesting loan guarantees.
Epstein responded to bin Sulayem's proposal project, suggesting changes. Later, when bin Sulayem sent him a press release about the project's groundbreaking, Epstein wrote: "I am proud of you."
Mandelson, who later became the UK ambassador to the U.S., is now under police investigation due to his connections with Epstein. He previously stated that he "made a mistake by believing (Epstein) after his conviction and continuing to communicate with him."
Emails between bin Sulayem and Epstein also show attempts to establish contacts between the UAE and Israel, initiated before the normalization of relations between the countries in 2020. Epstein apparently initiated a connection between bin Sulayem and then-Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in 2012.
Ehud Barak, who has previously acknowledged his connections with Epstein, stated that he was never a witness to or participant in any wrongdoing.
On March 22, 2012, Epstein informed bin Sulayem that he was in Berlin "with the Israeli Defense Minister" and added that "he would like to meet with both of you."
In June 2013, Epstein told Barak, who was no longer in office: "My friend Sultan bin Sulayem is in St. Petersburg; it’s worth meeting with him; he is the right hand of Maktoum," referring to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE.
In the following month, Epstein suggested bin Sulayem as a potential candidate to purchase Israeli ports during privatization. He sent Barak a Fox News segment about Israel conducting international tenders and asked: "Is this something for the sultan?" Barak replied: "Probably when (and if) we start delving into a sincere peace process," adding: "We need to think carefully about how to use this acquaintance."
Two years later, bin Sulayem reached out to Epstein requesting a meeting with Ehud, to which Barak responded: "Yes, of course," adding that Epstein should provide his phone number.
Thus, this diplomatic bridge extended to the White House.
On January 6, 2017, bin Sulayem asked Epstein whether he should "accept" an invitation to President Trump's inauguration and added: "Do you think I will get to shake Trump's hand?" Epstein, not attending the inauguration, replied: "Hardly."
A year later, bin Sulayem requested a meeting with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon during a planned trip to the UAE in 2018. "I will arrange your meeting," bin Sulayem said, describing the details of a tour of Dubai and mentioning future "meetings in Washington." Epstein informed Bannon that he "would enjoy" meeting with bin Sulayem.
Epstein shared ideas with bin Sulayem for organizing Bannon's trip to the region, recommending: "Show him the scale of what you have done."
Distributing Pornography During Family Vacations
Documents show that bin Sulayem shared detailed accounts of his sexual relationships and explicit photos with Epstein, including correspondence in August 2015, when he apparently sent links to pornographic websites during a trip to Santa Fe with his family.
On June 13, 2013, bin Sulayem informed Epstein that he was going to his yacht to enjoy the company of "a real Russian woman." Two years later, he mentioned a "girl" from the American University in Dubai, describing her as "the best sex of my life, an amazing body."
Details of further correspondence indicate that bin Sulayem and Epstein held derogatory views of women and discussed their appearances.
In June 2017, bin Sulayem also facilitated the training of Epstein's "personal masseuse," a Russian citizen, to work at a hotel complex in Antalya, Turkey, "so she could gain the best experience."
Epstein's victims have repeatedly stated that they were forced to give him massages and perform sexual acts.
"He is one of us"
An increasing number of reports indicate that Epstein presented himself as a dealer of information, using personal details from the lives of his contacts to strengthen relationships.
In correspondence from August 2013, Epstein informed Japanese businessman Joichi Ito that bin Sulayem "speaks excellent English," "does not drink alcohol in public," and "prays five times a day." In the same correspondence, Epstein noted that the Dubai businessman "has many connections, similar to the connection with Viagra."
Discussing a possible meeting with bin Sulayem, Ito remarked: "I suppose I should meet him alone, rather than in the company of my punk girlfriend, right?"
Ito, who resigned as head of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019 due to financial ties with Epstein, previously stated that he "was never involved in these terrible deeds" and "deeply regrets" having "brought such a person into our network."
CNN sent inquiries to the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan, where Ito serves as president.
A month later, Epstein, in another letter, informed bin Sulayem: "Joy is the person most closely connected to the world of technology in the States. He runs the Media Lab at MIT; he is one of us."
Bin Sulayem replied: "I look forward to meeting him; I will take good care of him."
