Trial of two arms dealers begins in London

The trial of 68-year-old British national David Greenhalgh and 48-year-old Greek national Christos Farmakis began this week at the Southwark Crown Court in London. Both men face multiple charges related to illegal arms deals conducted between 2009 and 2016. Prosecutors allege the pair facilitated the supply of former Soviet anti-aircraft systems to South Sudan and fighter jets to Libya during its civil war. Specifically, they are accused of brokering a 55 million dollar deal for an anti-aircraft system sourced from Ukraine between 2009 and 2011. During this period, South Sudan was part of Sudan, subjecting the region to a British arms embargo. Prosecutor Edmund Burge noted that the defendants maintained close ties to senior South Sudanese officials, with Farmakis serving as an honorary consul for the region in Greece and Cyprus. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. Farmakis chose not to attend the proceedings, which are continuing in his absence.