Fresh disclosures from the US Justice Department have identified Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of Dubai-based ports giant DP World, in connection with a 2009 email exchange involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Lawmakers who reviewed unredacted documents this week said Sulayem was the recipient of an email in which Epstein referenced a “torture video.”
The email, shared publicly by US Congressman Thomas Massie, showed Epstein writing, “where are you? Are you ok, I loved the torture video,” to a redacted recipient.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later indicated that the redaction protected personally identifiable information and noted that Sulayem's name appeared elsewhere in the released files. Sulayem has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, and authorities have stressed that a mention in the Epstein files does not imply evidence of a crime.
The documents add to previously released correspondence showing years of communication between Epstein and Sulayem spanning business, politics and personal matters. The exchanges reportedly date from around 2007 to 2019, including periods after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
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Who Is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem?
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is one of the UAE's most influential business leaders and a central figure in Dubai's rise as a global trade and logistics hub. As chairman and CEO of DP World, he has overseen the transformation of the company into one of the world's largest port operators, with a footprint spanning multiple continents and terminals handling roughly a tenth of global container traffic.
Born into a prominent Emirati family, Sulayem has long been closely associated with Dubai's leadership. His father served as an adviser to the ruling Al Maktoum family, and Sulayem himself emerged as a key architect of the Emirate's economic expansion during the early 2000s.
He played a pivotal role in expanding Jebel Ali Port into a major deep-water shipping hub, cementing Dubai's position on global trade routes. Under his leadership, DP World grew aggressively through international acquisitions, strengthening its presence across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Sulayem also previously headed Nakheel Properties, the Dubai government-owned real estate developer known for its ambitious artificial island projects, including Palm Jumeirah. Beyond his corporate roles, Sulayem has been a regular presence at major international platforms such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he has represented Dubai's economic interests and engaged with global political and business leaders.
His career has made him one of the most recognisable faces of Dubai Inc., closely associated with the emirate's rapid transformation into a global commercial powerhouse.
Connection of Sulayem with high-profile political and business figures:
Emails cited in the DOJ files suggest Epstein at times acted as an intermediary, connecting Sulayem with high-profile political and business figures. These reportedly included discussions involving former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former UK minister Peter Mandelson, and senior executives from global corporations. There is no indication in the documents that Sulayem engaged in criminal conduct.
Limited Fallout:
The disclosures have prompted limited fallout. According to CNBC, Canada's second-largest pension fund told the network it would “halt future deals” with DP World following the latest revelations, saying it had sought greater clarity on the matter. CNBC also reported that DP World did not respond to its queries on whether Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem would continue in his role as chairman and CEO.
UN Women also said its past engagement with DP World under the ‘HeForShe' initiative ended in 2024 and that it has no current partnership with Sulayem or the company.
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