GOLD SCAM WAS SUPPORTED BY TOP GOVT OFFICIALS REVEALS EGYPTIAN An Egyptian National Michael Adel Michel Botros has disclosed that the gold scam case at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport was supported by high ranking government officials. In his Court documents filed before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, Mr. Botros says the process was a well-orchestrated fraudulent scam which involved several public servants including airport personnel who facilitated the scammers and aided them to have access to restricted areas to fraudulently misrepresent him that the transaction was legitimate under legal authority of the relevant government departments. He says the level of deception and influence of the scammers can be demonstrated by the arrest of several Zambian Nationals which included President Hakainde Hichilema’s security detail Francis Mateyo. Further, the applicant has alleged that some of the money that he had on the aircraft was extorted from him by members of the joint team of investigators who threatened his life and threatened not to clear the aircraft to leave. In this matter, Mr. Botros is challenging the decision of the state to have his over 5.6 million dollars which he wanted to use in the gold transaction deal, fire arms among other properties for allegedly being proceeds of crime. – Diamond TV

GOLD SCANDAL UPDATE The suspects have appeared facing espionage charges, and the number of foreigners that appeared are far fewer than those arrested. Further there are no charges related to gold, money laundering and firearms charges. THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION (DEC) in collaboration with other Law Enforcement Agencies have formally arrested and charged five Egyptian nationals and six Zambians including a senior police officer for Espionage contrary to section 3 (a) of The State Security Act Cap 111 of the Laws of Zambia. The suspects appeared in court on Monday evening, 28th August, 2023 before Lusaka Magistrate, Hon.Davies Chibwili for explanation of the charge. The charge is tried in the High Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions has filed a certificate to deny the suspects of bail conditions. However no charges related to the gold sale, the millions of dollars, firearms and ammunition and money laundering have been presented. Those presented before the Lusaka Magistrate to court were; 1. Jim Belemu-CEO of Mahogany Air, 2. Mulungu Oswald Diangamo- Managing Director - ZamQlik Solutions Limited and Chairperson of the Bene Mukuni Traditional Ceremony Organising Committee 3. Shadreck Alex Kapasa Kasanda- Lusaka Businessman and Goldsmith, 4. Patrick Kawanu Jnr - Pilot, Zambia Skyways, 5. Robinson Moonga-Zambia Police Kenneth Kaunda Airport Commander, 6. Francis Maluba Makai-Mateyo-former professional basketballer, ICT Expert and recently employed under State House. (Waiting for actual names presented in court but those named earlier were), 7. Michael Adel Boutros-Michael Adel Botros - Boutros, Egyptian is based in London, Cairo and Doha?Qatar). He owns Amstone International Limited, a British corporation that consults with military forces on defense development. Michel is also a military consultant, film producer, and CEO of a Doha-based construction company with no projects in the Gulf. 8. Walid Refat Fahimi Botros Abelsayed, 9. Yasser Mokhtar Abelghafor Elshishtawy, 10. Mounir Shaker Gerges Awad (Shaker is a prominent Nile Delta goldsmith who owns a gold factory with several showrooms in Egypt. 11. Mohamed Abdelhak Mohamed Gooda-retired armybColonel The seized jet is the Bombardier Global Express, BD-T7-700-1A10 (T7-WSS) registered in San Marino and operated by FlyingGroup Middle East, based in the Dubai Airport Freezone. The operation carried out on 14th August 2023 at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, resulted in a seizure of the following items: 1. USD 5, 697,700. 2. Five (05) pistols. 3. Seven (07) magazines. 4. 126 rounds ammunition. 5. 602 pieces of suspected Gold weighing 127.2 kg. 6. Equipment used for testing Gold.