AMMAN — Three Israeli nationals were said to have confessed to
supplying weapons to rebels in Sudan's war-torn Darfour province.
Jordanian sources said three Israeli nationals were detained and
interrogated by Jordanian authorities over charges that they supplied
weapons and ammunition
to rebels in Darfour. The sources said the Israelis confessed to the
charges.
The ringleader of the purported Israeli arms smuggling ring was
identified as Amos Golan, the sources said. Golan operates a defense company
in the Tel Aviv area and was said to provide training for militaries in
Africa, Middle East Newsline reported.
Golan has been identified as head of Cornershot, which has designed a
weapon that could shoot around corners without exposing the operator to
enemy fire. Golan, who has not been arrested, has denied involvement in the
weapons smuggling episode.
Jordan's government has acknowledged the arrest of the Israelis without
providing details. But Jordanian sources said the three detainees had worked
with Israeli politicians and their families, including the son of former
Mossad director Danny Yatom. Yatom has also denied involvement in the
affair.
Sudan has repeatedly accused Israel and Germany of helping the rebels in
Darfour. Khartoum said Germany has harbored Darfour rebels while Israel
supplied them with military equipment and ammunition.
"The information about the involvement of Israel on supplying the
Darfour rebels with weapons is correct," Sudanese State Interior Minister
Mohammed Haroun said. "Those who have been involved in the conspiracy were
seized by a friendly country's intelligence agency and investigations on the
issue are still going on."