The Arnica operation
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The Arnica operation refers to a series of documents that have raised concerns regarding alleged activities by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Europe. Confidential documents, brought to light by Mediapart, claim that the UAE may have engaged the services of Alp Services, a Geneva-based company, to gather information on individuals and organizations believed to have affiliations with Qatar or the Muslim Brotherhood in various locations throughout Europe.[1]
Mechanism[edit]
Between 2017 and 2020, it is alleged that UAE officials oversaw Alp Services' efforts to identify and gather information on individuals and organizations suspected of having connections or associations with Qatar or the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. The Geneva-based company conducted extensive research, targeting individuals such as politicians, lawyers, human rights organizations and activists, businesspersons, researchers, Muslim associations, and humanitarian or charitable NGOs.[2]. Allegedly, Alp Services compiled a list of over 1000 names, along with corresponding addresses and, in some cases, mobile phone numbers of individuals residing in 18 European countries, including Switzerland, France, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and Austria. France appeared to be among the most targeted countries, with 191 individuals and 125 organizations identified as potential targets. .[3][4]
It is claimed that this data was presented to the Abu Dhabi Secret Service in the form of infographics. Subsequently, it is alleged that Alp Services engaged in activities aimed at disseminating offensive information covertly and extensively, potentially influencing public opinion and decision-makers in Europe. It is suggested that UAE authorities could have requested services from the company to target specific individuals or organizations, with costs reportedly ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 per target.[5] The strategies allegedly employed included press campaigns, the publication of articles through deceptive accounts, manipulation of Wikipedia pages to influence information, and, in certain cases, attempts to convince banks to close the accounts of targeted individuals or organizations, which could have resulted in financial difficulties.The leaked documents also make claims regarding the monitoring and photographing of certain targets as part of the alleged espionage operations.[6]
Prominent targets[edit]
The Mediapart leaks suggest that several notable figures were among the targets listed. These individuals reportedly included Zakia Khattabi, Belgium's federal minister for environment and sustainability, Benoît Hamon, a former candidate for the French presidential elections, Samia Ghali, assistant mayor of Marseille and former senator, writer and director Rokhaya Diallo, and even the CNRS, the French public body responsible for scientific research. The list also purportedly included the Alkarama Foundation for Human Rights, Pascal Gemberly, secretary general of the Vaudois Union of Muslim Associations (UVAM), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), and businessman Hazem Nada.[7]
Official response[edit]
While Alp Services has stated that the leaked documents were stolen and partly falsified, the UAE government has refrained from making specific comments regarding the allegations. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, responsible for overseeing private security companies operating in Switzerland, has stated that they have not received any reports identifying a foreign state as the main or ultimate beneficiary of such activities.[8]
3See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Comment une agence à Genève a fiché un millier de personnes pour les services secrets émiratis - Heidi.news". www.heidi.news (in français). Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ "Une entreprise genevoise au cœur d'une vaste opération d'influence des Emirats arabes unis". rts.ch (in français). 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ Harari, Clément Fayol, Yann Philippin, Antton Rouget, Antoine. "Plus de 200 Français ont été fichés pour le compte des services secrets des Émirats arabes unis". Mediapart (in français). Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ "Liste med 47 nordmenn sendt til Emiratenes etterretningstjeneste". www.vg.no (in norsk bokmål). 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ Vergine, Giovanni Tizian e Stefano. "Abu Dhabi Secrets: così funziona lo spionaggio in Europa per conto degli Emirati". www.editorialedomani.it (in italiano). Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ "Une entreprise genevoise au cœur d'une vaste opération d'influence des Emirats arabes unis". rts.ch (in français). 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ Kalisch, Muriel; Bolliger, Monika; Buschmann, Rafael; Naber, Nicola; Becker, Sven (2023-07-07). "(S+) Wie Schweizer Privatermittler für die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate in Europa Politik beeinflussten". Der Spiegel (in Deutsch). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ "A Geneva company at the heart of a vast operation to influence the United Arab Emirates – rts.ch".
References[edit]
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