The US Department of Justice announced the arrest of Tom Barrack, a former advisor to former US President Donald Trump, on suspicion of his involvement in activities for the UAE in the United States, without notifying the authorities.

The ministry said in a statement that Barack - a billionaire and friend of Trump - is accused of working for the UAE without official notification, and faces 7 charges related to dealing with the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018. The indictment was brought by federal prosecutors in the Brooklyn area of ​​New York.

The indictment stated that Barak, 74, and an Emirati businessman did not register themselves on the list of foreign agents under the FARA law, which regulates the work of pressure groups in the United States, and the indictment added that the two men used their influence to serve the goals of Emirati foreign policy. within the United States.

Presidency 2016

The list indicated that Barak and two accused - one of whom is an Emirati - worked under the guidance of Emirati officials to influence the 2016 presidential elections, and the ministry indicated that the three had repeatedly benefited from Barak's relationship with a presidential candidate who eventually reached the presidency, in reference to Trump.

The US Department of Justice added that the arrest and indictment of Barak is a warning message to anyone trying to work for a foreign government without notifying the ministry.

The indictment of the US Department of Justice stated that Emirati businessman Rashid Sultan Al-Shehhi contacted Barak in 2017 about the UAE's opposition to holding a summit in the US resort of Camp David to resolve the Gulf crisis.

Barak had taken it upon himself to persuade Trump not to hold the summit, which was later canceled.

Barrack was arrested in the western city of Los Angeles, and federal prosecutors are seeking to keep him in custody, saying in a court petition that his vast wealth, the presence of private planes at his disposal and his history of international travel indicate a possible escape.

On the other hand, a spokesman for Tom Barrack denied the truth of the accusation against the latter, saying that Barak put himself at the disposal of the investigators from the beginning, and that he is not guilty, and will defend not to commit any legal violation.

It is noteworthy that Tom Barrack was a prominent supporter of the Trump campaign in the 2016 presidencies, and took over the administration of the Trump inauguration committee on January 20, 2017.