“Viktor Bout’s Gunrunning Successors:
A Lethal Game of Catch Me if You Can”
An original CAP investigation busts open a major arms trafficking operation targeting Sudan, Congo and Syria.  The CAP report details a global illicit ring involving entities and individuals in the US, UK, Finland, Mauritius, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Iran.

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CASES & ISSUES

Arms Trafficking

The investigation and prosecution of illegal arms traffickers fueling war and violating UN arms embargoes is fundamental to international peace and security and necessary for a safer, more just world. Besides building criminal cases, CAP works towards strengthening domestic and international laws and controls.

War Crimes

Weapons are used to perpetuate crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, yet there is a dearth of prosecutions against arms traffickers and brokers complicit in such international crimes. CAP continues a long-standing goal of Executive Director Kathi Lynn Austin to build momentum for the first war crimes cases against arms traffickers under international criminal law.

Pillage

Companies trafficking in conflict resources such as gold, diamonds, timber, and precious minerals have seldom been held accountable for natural resource exploitation fueling war and violence. This illicit trade often provides the funds for arms purchases, military troop support and child soldiers. CAP is working on precedent-setting cases to prosecute businesses for the war crime of pillage, which legally speaking, is conflict-related theft.

Terrorism

Just as arms smuggler Viktor Bout is on trial in the U.S. for material support to a terrorist organization, traffickers are key to terrorist operations and often highjack arms pipelines as a source of funding. Targeting the suppliers of terrorist groups and disrupting their logistical support is one way CAP contributes to a reduction in local and global violence.

Anti-Corruption

The arms trade accounts for a vast percentage of corruption in global trade and often is hidden behind the veil of national security; likewise natural resource exploitation and war profiteering. CAP works on cases involving theft of public assets, fraud, and money laundering in conflict areas.

Criminal Networks

Seeking to redress impunity, CAP works to secure legal remedies for organized criminal networks that undermine the rule of law in war-torn countries and that facilitate war crimes, gross human rights abuses, and natural resource exploitation. These criminal networks often are based outside the affected areas and require transnational investigations to hold them accountable.