Ugandan socialite Bad Black’s ex-boyfriend David Greenhalgh, a British aviation expert, has been accused of engaging in illegal arms dealing by brokering sales of military equipment to countries such as Syria, Libya, and Sudan.
Bad Black and David Greenhalgh engaged in a romantic affair several years back, before the former embezzled the latter’s over Ugx 11 billion which saw the socialite arrested and their relationship hit a dead end.
According to The Times, the charges against Greenhalgh include 12 counts of breaching arms embargoes, with the sales being linked to some of the most violent conflicts of the past two decades.
This case is considered to be one of the most significant prosecutions of unlawful arms deals to be brought before a British court.
The allegations stem from a seven-year investigation conducted by HM Revenue & Customs into suspected violations of arms embargoes.
David Greenhalgh appeared in Westminster magistrates court to face the charges, which involved the supply of Russian fighter jets, air missile systems, and assault rifles to Sudan during the Darfur conflict.
David Greenhalgh is facing charges related to the provision of Neva/Pechora S-125 surface-to-air missile systems and associated radar equipment to the war-torn African nation. In addition, he is accused of supplying anti-tank missiles, AK47 assault rifles, and ammunition to South Sudan in 2014.
The businessman is also alleged to have arranged the delivery of missile launchers and rocket-propelled grenades to Syria in 2013, two years after the start of the ongoing civil war aimed at overthrowing President Assad’s regime, along with his British wife, Asma.
Furthermore, Greenhalgh was charged with supplying combat aircraft, air defense radar systems, and missiles to Libya at the beginning of the civil war in 2014 and 2015, following the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011.
Additionally, David Greenhalgh is said to have been involved in the sale of combat aircraft, air-defense weapon systems, missile launch systems, AK47 assault rifles, 9mm pistols, and a total of 461,000 rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars to unidentified countries in 2014 and 2015.
Christos Farmakis, a 46-year-old international corporate financier residing in Greece with a home in Surbiton, southwest London, is facing 14 similar charges. These charges include alleged involvement in the supply of 5,000 9mm pistols and 100 tonnes of ammunition to Syria.
During the court proceedings, Farmakis expressed his belief that he was not guilty and should not have been charged with these offenses.
Both Greenhalgh and Farmakis have been granted bail and are scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 26. Greenhalgh chose not to provide any comments as he left the court today.
