The ICIJ today released an investigation into the real estate holdings in Dubai of Isabel dos Santos, her mother and a former associate of her late husband, Sindika Dokolo, which they describe as a “safe haven” for illicit wealth by politicians and others facing criminal charges.

In response to the journalism consortium’s queries about her properties in the United Arab Emirates city-state, the daughter of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos said she plans to contest an Interpol request for her arrest because it was issued based on “false information” by Angolan authorities.

The “red notice” for Isabel dos Santos that was issued in 2022 is a “request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” according to Interpol.

Isabel dos Santos said in an email that she acquired her Sadaf apartment for “personal use” with money she earned from her businesses and public appearances and added that President João Lourenço and Angolan authorities “have a politically motivated agenda” against the Dos Santos family.

“They fabricate false evidence and do not allow the courts to be impartial and independent,” the businesswoman wrote.

Angolan judicial authorities have denied the accusations and vowed to use all available means and activate international mechanisms to return Isabel dos Santos to Angola, which she left in 2017 when her father’s handpicked successor took power.

The new ICIJ investigation, Dubai Unlocked, reveals how policies have been adopted that have helped turn Dubai into a safe haven for alleged criminals and corrupt politicians, even as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeks to shed its reputation as a destination for money laundering and terrorist financing after being removed from the “gray list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental financial watchdog.

ICIJ’s data shows that Isabel dos Santos and her mother, Tatiana “Kukanova” Regan, co-own an apartment in a building called Sadaf that is now worth more than $570,000.

Dubai property records also include information about Konema Mwenenge, a business associate of the businesswoman’s late husband, Sindika Dokolo, and companies to which he is linked.

Isabel dos Santos regularly posts photos and videos on her social media accounts showing herself dining out and partying in Dubai, despite the legal cases against her in Angola, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The UAE does not have a cooperation agreement with Angola, nor does it have an extradition treaty with the country, according to ICIJ.

Earlier this year, Angolan judicial authorities charged Isabel dos Santos with 12 crimes and causing losses of $219 million during her time leading the state oil company, Sonangol.

RCR // MLL

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