{"id":49916,"date":"2019-09-24T16:17:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-24T15:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/?p=49916"},"modified":"2019-12-08T20:52:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-08T19:52:55","slug":"the-president-and-the-arms-dealer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/en\/top-stories\/2019\/09\/24\/the-president-and-the-arms-dealer\/","title":{"rendered":"The President and the Arms Dealer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"49916\" class=\"elementor elementor-49916 elementor-47211\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a0955f1 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height videoheader elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"4a0955f1\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"videoheader\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-315a1541\" data-id=\"315a1541\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b6289fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1b6289fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<script>\nfunction fallback(video)\n{\n  var img = video.querySelector('img');\n  if (img)\n    video.parentNode.replaceChild(img, video);\n}<\/script>\n\n<section id =\"start\">\n            <div class=\"videoContainer\">\n            <video autoplay loop playsinline muted>\n  <source src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20160406-115340.mp4\">\n  <source src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/20160406-115340.webm\" onerror=\"fallback(parentNode)\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/weine-social-thumb.jpg\">\n<\/video>\n            <\/div>\n                \n<\/section>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28de6674 desktoptitle elementor-hidden-phone elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"28de6674\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"desktoptitle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a88a813\" data-id=\"a88a813\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dd4740 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dd4740\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The President and <br>the Arms Dealer<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a3021d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a3021d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p lang=\"zxx\">A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts in Berlin. A CORRECTIV investigation with public broadcaster ZDF\u2019s Frontal21 and Stern magazine.<\/p><p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"font-family: source sans pro; font-weight: 400; color: lightgray;\">24. September 2019<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-55bda28e elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"55bda28e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9a97548\" data-id=\"9a97548\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7acdd300 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7acdd300\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The President and \nthe Arms Dealer<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-330d9f91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"330d9f91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p lang=\"zxx\">A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts \u2013 in Berlin. A CORRECTIV investigation with public broadcaster ZDF\u2019s Frontal21 and Stern magazine.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"font-family: source sans pro; font-weight: 400; color: lightgray;\">24. September 2019<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7fcd77b6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7fcd77b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4838148b\" data-id=\"4838148b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-762d7bb9 capital elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"762d7bb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p lang=\"zxx\">For years, Abu-Dhabi-based Lebanese businessman Ahmad El Husseini acted as the German arms exporters\u2019 facilitator in the Middle East. Then suddenly, he fell from grace, and more than \u20ac60 million is subject to disputes.<\/p><p>German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp asked Mr. El Husseini to broker weapons purchases for frigates sold to the Algerian navy. But why did the firm not buy the weapons itself? Was corruption involved in a deal that helped propel Germany to fourth place among international arms exporters?<\/p><p>Mr. El Husseini maintained excellent contacts not only with ruling families and arms buyers in the Middle East \u2013 he was also very well-connected in Berlin. Mr. El Husseini sent luxury Christmas hampers packed with vintage wine to several Social Democratic Party (SPD) politicians, including current German president and head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The vintage wines could now spell trouble for the recipients.<\/p><p>Who is Ahmad El Husseini? What was he trying to achieve with his high-end Christmas presents? A search for evidence in Kiel, Abu Dhabi, Singapore \u2013 and Berlin.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-61fa47e9 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"61fa47e9\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-0\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:29,&quot;end&quot;:47}},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e1afee5\" data-id=\"7e1afee5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-349d6b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"349d6b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Part 1<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fe731c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3fe731c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Algeria Deal<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44157f86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44157f86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">From Kiel to D\u00fcsseldorf <span class=\"s1\">and Beyond<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-26873733 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"26873733\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-3\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5c953337 textbox\" data-id=\"5c953337\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70318f72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70318f72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt was one of the largest German arms deals of the past decade. In 2011, ThyssenKrupp sold two MEKO A-200AN frigates to the Algerian navy in a total package worth about \u20ac2 billion. Its marine unit ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) built the warships in Kiel. The German government underwrote the deal with export credit guarantees.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3be24e9b elementor-section-height-min-height slide-4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3be24e9b\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-4\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-507ffe26 textbox\" data-id=\"507ffe26\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21ac5dce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21ac5dce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGermany is arming Algeria even though the country is controlled by an unelected, unaccountable clique of military and intelligence officers. Corruption is endemic.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2b78ea16 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"2b78ea16\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-5\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-50c639e6 textbox\" data-id=\"50c639e6\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db1c452 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db1c452\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThyssenKrupp was to deliver the warships with armament included. But TKMS did not buy the ammunition, including shells, torpedoes, guided missiles, directly from manufacturers in Germany, France and Italy. Instead, TKMS followed a curiously roundabout route \u2013 that today looks immediately suspicious \u2013 and contacted Ahmad El Husseini.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-589800dc elementor-section-height-min-height slide-6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"589800dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-6\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4998ce43 textbox\" data-id=\"4998ce43\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c2e42eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c2e42eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor years, the Lebanese businessman had run a sprawling construction conglomerate in Abu Dhabi and was active in the energy sector. His local partner was one of the most powerful members of the ruling family of the oil-rich emirate.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72d2556c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"72d2556c\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-7\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3268e8cd textbox\" data-id=\"3268e8cd\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e6fce6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e6fce6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInitially, TKMS planned to purchase a weapons package worth around \u20ac300 million from Abu Dhabi-based firm Federal Development (\u201cFederal\u201d), run by Mr. El Husseini. The strange thing: a manager in Kiel offered to introduce the broker to arms makers in France and Italy: \u201cOur team is prepared to assist Federal in regard to the first direct contact with any of the manufacturers,\u201d he wrote to Mr. El Husseini in June 2012.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3a3ea61c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3a3ea61c\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-8\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fb94fc2 textbox\" data-id=\"6fb94fc2\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-380a5957 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"380a5957\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe manager appeared to possess the relevant industry contacts himself. Yet he turned to a broker, Mr. El Husseini. TKMS signed the weapons package contract with Federal in late 2012. But Federal, in turn, simply bought the entire package from another German defence company, D\u00fcsseldorf-based Rheinmetall. A deal structure with more parties than were necessary from a strictly commercial perspective.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24ed23e9 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-10 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"24ed23e9\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-10\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-71129179 textbox\" data-id=\"71129179\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25de498 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25de498\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Bribery, though illegal, is still widespread in the global arms industry. The presence of a middleman is always a red flag in the eyes of anti-corruption investigators.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-30a91ac5 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-11 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"30a91ac5\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-11\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c07b556 textbox\" data-id=\"c07b556\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f70ba96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f70ba96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOliver Scholz, a professor at Berlin\u2019s HTW University and an expert on corruption comments: \u201cThis is classic. It looks like a transaction for the purpose of evading the law. There are many places here where invoices are issued. And where invoices are issued, the difference between purchase price and sale price offers wriggle-room to generate funds for other purposes.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2c050434 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-11 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"2c050434\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24b3f82a textbox\" data-id=\"24b3f82a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-101d18fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"101d18fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThyssenKrupp has been selling its warships through business units located outside Germany since the early 2000s. It set up a company in London to sell submarines. A separate unit in Singapore sells surface ships.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-224b4431 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-12 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"224b4431\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-12\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-494bdbdf textbox\" data-id=\"494bdbdf\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d4f7a80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d4f7a80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe London-based subsidiary signed consultancy agreements with Mr. El Husseini back in the 2000s. Mr. El Husseini was to earn five percent commission on planned submarine sales to the Middle East, including to Algeria. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2826565b elementor-section-height-min-height slide-13 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"2826565b\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-13\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5bda2d21 textbox\" data-id=\"5bda2d21\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a21483e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a21483e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<link href='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/css\/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text\/css'><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/js\/soundcite.min.js'><\/script>\nThe submarine deals ultimately fell through but auditors would later question why some of the money was to be channelled through offshore companies, and why Mr. El Husseini was involved <span class=\"soundcite\" data-url=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zitat_1_en.mp3\" data-plays=\"1\">even though he had no presence in Algeria.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5d365d9a elementor-section-height-min-height slide-14 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"5d365d9a\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-14\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a6533cf textbox\" data-id=\"7a6533cf\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a430fe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a430fe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDespite those earlier concerns, the two sides apparently stayed in touch. In 2012, it was TKMS\u2019s Singapore unit which contracted with Federal and its managing director Ahmad El Husseini to buy the weapons package for Algeria. The roundabout route. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-11857e12 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-15 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"11857e12\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-15\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a2adfea textbox\" data-id=\"7a2adfea\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-79b615bf elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"79b615bf\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-16\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-14fa5862 textbox\" data-id=\"14fa5862\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-775849cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"775849cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThyssenKrupp says that compliance violations can never be ruled out when third parties are involved. It also says that an audit of the Algerian frigate deal by external lawyers has not turned up any concrete evidence of wrong-doing.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-19f424c2 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"19f424c2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-38480b4 textbox\" data-id=\"38480b4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c954e2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c954e2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<link href='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/css\/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text\/css'><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/js\/soundcite.min.js'><\/script>\nA questionable middleman, a detour via Singapore \u2013 but still the German government supported the frigate sale to Algeria with multi-billion euro export credit guarantees. German MP Tobias Lindner of the opposition Green <span class=\"soundcite\" data-url=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lindner_en.mp3\" data-plays=\"1\">party is highly critical.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-151b24fd elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"151b24fd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2a72b23f textbox\" data-id=\"2a72b23f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77cf1709 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"77cf1709\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnother deal highlights why German arms exporters needed Mr. El Husseini for their Middle East business. Rheinmetall fitted out ships of the United Arab Emirates&#8217; navy with guns. But disagreement ensued when the buyer, unhappy with the accuracy of those guns, refused to pay the agreed \u20ac80 million.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3e4125cd elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3e4125cd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-694537a textbox\" data-id=\"694537a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e9b8e9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e9b8e9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<link href='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/css\/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text\/css'><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/js\/soundcite.min.js'><\/script>\nRheinmetall turned to Mr. El Husseini. Success fees worth \u20ac15 million were meant to make the problem go away. <span class=\"soundcite\" data-url=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Zitat_2_en.mp3\" data-plays=\"1\">This is how Rheinmetall justified the deal.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-478f640c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"478f640c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4dc6e3a textbox\" data-id=\"4dc6e3a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ce95e40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ce95e40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt&#8217;s not exactly clear what happened next. Rheinmetall claims that Mr. El Husseini transferred the agreed success fees from a joint bank account before he was entitled to, forcing it to file a criminal complaint against him. German prosecutors accepted the company&#8217;s arguments and indicted Mr. El Husseini for fraud this summer. His lawyer rejects the allegations. A German court in L\u00fcneburg, Lower Saxony is now considering the indictment.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-48c0da56 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"48c0da56\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c2754ad textbox\" data-id=\"3c2754ad\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3465ad5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3465ad5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMillions are also missing in the Algerian frigate deal. At the end of the roundabout route via Singapore and Abu Dhabi, about \u20ac50 million failed to arrive in Rheinmetall\u2019s account, but partially ended up in Lebanon and Hong Kong instead. Rheinmetall is claiming \u20ac37 million from Federal and is understood to have initiated arbitration proceedings in Switzerland.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-20742494 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-16 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"20742494\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-76436828 textbox\" data-id=\"76436828\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f98031c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f98031c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn short, the whereabouts of more than \u20ac60 million from deals between Rheinmetall and Mr. El Husseini are disputed. A lawyer for Mr. El Husseini declined to comment, citing current legal proceedings. A spokesman for Rheinmetall also declined to comment on the details of the case but rejected any notion of impropriety in its business. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c54388d elementor-section-height-min-height slide-17 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3c54388d\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-17\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:29,&quot;end&quot;:47}},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-620159fc\" data-id=\"620159fc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-771c1e81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"771c1e81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Part 2<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-335f3ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"335f3ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Hampers<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-384c5ed7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"384c5ed7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Searching for evidence in Berlin<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-522f89d7 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-18 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"522f89d7\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-18\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4c14a2 textbox\" data-id=\"e4c14a2\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34e106a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"34e106a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBerlin is home to the famous department store KaDeWe, Europe\u2019s second largest after Harrods of London. Its customers include wealthy locals and well-heeled tourists from around the world. And once a year, it now emerges, a familiar name did some of his Christmas shopping there.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1a4c2322 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1a4c2322\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-19\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-64379e32 textbox\" data-id=\"64379e32\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4baffb95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4baffb95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGerman arms exporters made use of Mr. El Husseini\u2019s contacts in the Middle East. But, unusually in the discrete world of arms dealing, the Lebanese middleman also boasted excellent contacts in their home market. And, it is possible to state, he sent some expensive gifts to a number of very high-level political operators in Berlin. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1a8dab75 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-20 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1a8dab75\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-20\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4519ec53 textbox\" data-id=\"4519ec53\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b29488e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b29488e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCORRECTIV and its media partners have obtained documents from inside the KaDeWe department store that show Mr. El Husseini paid for expensive wines to be sent to several of his associates. The documents date back to the early to mid 2010s.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b3328e8 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"b3328e8\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-21\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2dea9b8a textbox\" data-id=\"2dea9b8a\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4202a071 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4202a071\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSix recipients are named, including the current German president and head of state, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. From 2013 to 2017, Steinmeier was Germany\u2019s foreign minister. During that time he was responsible for approving German arms export licences.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f22a034 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"f22a034\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-22\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b667358 textbox\" data-id=\"4b667358\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cc347 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cc347\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 2015, for example, Steinmeier is the intended recipient of a hamper worth \u20ac1,299. Three bottles of the Italian \u2018Super Tuscan\u2019 red wine Ornellaia (1997 vintage), and three bottles of James Bond-favourite Dom Perignon champagne. And a Christmas stollen. To be delivered to Steinmeier at the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, the German parliament. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3823ab5b elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3823ab5b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fc75373 textbox\" data-id=\"fc75373\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78183423 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78183423\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegulations in Germany require ministers to hand over gifts worth more than \u20ac150 to the government. Steinmeier failed to do this, according to a list of gifts provided by the German chancellery.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-324a251c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"324a251c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-44510d3c textbox\" data-id=\"44510d3c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-78602514 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"78602514\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-23\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-575201ec textbox\" data-id=\"575201ec\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6708e3da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6708e3da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuring his time as foreign minister, Steinmeier was also an SPD member of the Bundestag. The rules are less strict for MPs. They must disclose donations and gifts worth more than \u20ac5,000.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-15a9e41d elementor-section-height-min-height slide-23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"15a9e41d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d065d1 textbox\" data-id=\"7d065d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35e1551b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35e1551b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMr. Steinmeier says that he met Mr. El Husseini \u201ctwo or three times\u201d but \u201cmore than ten years ago\u201d. He says it is no longer possible to confirm whether Mr. El Husseini sent the hampers to his office. Presents received in the Christmas season were distributed to employees or public institutions. Mr. Steinmeier says that at no point did Mr. El Husseini influence either his political positions or decisions during his time as MP or foreign minister.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-551039d9 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"551039d9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-36032dfa textbox\" data-id=\"36032dfa\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-137fefba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"137fefba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Social Democrats say they consider wine hampers to be gifts, and not party donations. The German Bundestag, which oversees party financing rules, takes a different view and sees them as donations. The difference is crucial, since according to SPD rules, donations need to be passed on to the party. The SPD says it has not received the hampers and has neither registered any donations from either Mr. El Husseini or his Berlin company.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7425c5a2 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-26 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7425c5a2\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-26\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-542511a9 textbox\" data-id=\"542511a9\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e526c4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e526c4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere is no evidence of a close connection between Mr. El Husseini and Mr. Steinmeier. There is also nothing to suggest German government decisions were influenced by the gifts. Still, Mr. El Husseini had reason to put Berlin in a festive mood. He had benefitted from the German government\u2019s approval and backing of the frigate sale to Algeria in his role as a broker in the weapons package.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2968f7de elementor-section-height-min-height slide-28 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"2968f7de\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-28\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ab7945f textbox\" data-id=\"4ab7945f\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53cabab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53cabab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBut Mr. El Husseini did maintain close contacts with two other (former) SPD politicians, ex-chancellor Gerhard Schr\u00f6der and Otto Schily, interior minister from 1998 to 2005. Bottles of red wine, champagne and Christmas stollen were also ordered for them after their time in office.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c3026e8 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-29 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"4c3026e8\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-29\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-13ec207b textbox\" data-id=\"13ec207b\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f96de67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f96de67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Abu Dhabi-based arms dealer and Germany\u2019s former interior minister got along so well, in fact, that they met up in northern Italy on the occasion of the Palio, the famous horse race held twice a year in the medieval heart of Siena, and coincidentally not so very far from the Ornellaia winery. Mr. Schily did not answer questions put to him concerning his relationship with Mr. El Husseini.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-384b427c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-31 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"384b427c\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-31\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b1989f5 textbox\" data-id=\"3b1989f5\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7496b02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7496b02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen in Germany, Mr. El Husseini also often met Gerhard Schr\u00f6der who also failed to answer questions put to him concerning his relationship with Mr. El Husseini.  \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ffabeb6 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-31 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7ffabeb6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42b4a694 textbox\" data-id=\"42b4a694\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3481e449 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3481e449\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Mr. El Husseini acted as a middleman for the German defence industry in sales to the Middle East while maintaining excellent contacts with top Social Democrats. The party, battered in recent elections, is currently in the process of electing a new leadership. It now needs to explain its covert ties with the defence industry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7fb30f6c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-32 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7fb30f6c\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-32\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:29,&quot;end&quot;:47}},&quot;background_motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;background_motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-361603cd\" data-id=\"361603cd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f458420 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f458420\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Part 3<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bfed785 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5bfed785\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Silence in Berlin<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d7b8a73 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-33 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"d7b8a73\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-33\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45215add textbox\" data-id=\"45215add\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77bd3545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"77bd3545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMr. El Husseini\u2019s expensive wine hampers: perhaps just relatively low value items in the big scheme of things, the seasonal generosity of an affluent businessman. It is hard to imagine that such gifts could influence political decisions. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f9f47ad elementor-section-height-min-height slide-34 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1f9f47ad\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-34\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ed27637 textbox\" data-id=\"5ed27637\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e4beca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33e4beca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But the gifts served to maintain a network. And they link a shadowy figure from the world of international arms dealing with top German government officials. A connection about which important people in Berlin today prefer to remain silent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6521d8aa elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"6521d8aa\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56fecec3 textbox\" data-id=\"56fecec3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28ff878 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-36 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"28ff878\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-36\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fe6b4bf textbox\" data-id=\"1fe6b4bf\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41c41b0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41c41b0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFirst example: in late 2014, Angola and Germany sign a military cooperation agreement. An Angolan delegation visits the German government and German defence companies. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-56a502f1 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-37 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"56a502f1\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-37\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a47ec5b textbox\" data-id=\"7a47ec5b\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71039133 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71039133\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<link href='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/css\/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text\/css'><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/js\/soundcite.min.js'><\/script>\nMr. El Husseini turns to a former German naval officer, L. The officer met an official at the German defence ministry, at the time headed by Ursula von der Leyen, now President-elect of the European Commission. It appears that L. was meant to influence talks between the German government and the Angolan side on behalf of Mr. El Husseini. <span class=\"soundcite\" data-url=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/zitat_3_en.mp3\" data-plays=\"1\">This is what he wrote to the lobbyist.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7823aae6 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7823aae6\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-38\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-147ef5f textbox\" data-id=\"147ef5f\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42529f09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42529f09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday, L. appears to be uncomfortable with the episode. The former naval officer declines to talk to journalists. The German defence ministry says it has no knowledge of the meeting. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-23764f39 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"23764f39\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ce6c03d textbox\" data-id=\"1ce6c03d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-616da1d7 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-39 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"616da1d7\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-39\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-626447a8 textbox\" data-id=\"626447a8\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1caaa057 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1caaa057\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSecond example: in 2014, Mr. El Husseini fixed a meeting with Gerhard Schr\u00f6der and German foreign ministry official Dieter Haller at \u2018Bocca di Bacco\u2019, an Italian restaurant in Berlin popular with Hollywood movie stars. The diplomat was twice Germany\u2019s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, one of the German arms industry\u2019s top customers.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7f119488 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7f119488\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"slide-40\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-316be30b textbox\" data-id=\"316be30b\" data-element_type=\"column\" id=\"textbox\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1478f193 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1478f193\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMr. Haller was at the time head of the economic department of the foreign ministry with responsibility for arms exports. It is not known what the diplomat, the former chancellor and the arms dealer discussed. The German foreign ministry declined to comment. Mr. Haller did not respond to questions. Mr. Steinmeier says he has no knowledge of the meeting.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5109d0c elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"5109d0c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7daa9c9e textbox\" data-id=\"7daa9c9e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25c4046b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25c4046b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe documents obtained from inside the department store KaDeWe include three more names, former top officials in the Schr\u00f6der government. One of them has confirmed that KaDeWe sent out the gift baskets on behalf of Mr. El Husseini.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1beebb28 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1beebb28\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dfa4c72 textbox\" data-id=\"dfa4c72\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-56f23992 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"56f23992\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-700e4f75 textbox\" data-id=\"700e4f75\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19bc5e5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19bc5e5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor years, Mr. El Husseini maintained an office right next to the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin\u2019s diplomatic quarter. There are now calls for more transparency regarding Mr. El Husseini\u2019s use of his contacts in the German capital.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b5e9fc8 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"b5e9fc8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-10fe6a9a textbox\" data-id=\"10fe6a9a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14e5f575 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14e5f575\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<link href='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/css\/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text\/css'><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/soundcite\/latest\/js\/soundcite.min.js'><\/script>\nTimo Lange of the German non-profit group LobbyControl says the case shows that German politics <span class=\"soundcite\" data-url=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/lange_en.mp3\" data-plays=\"1\">needs to be more transparent.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-416609d2 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"416609d2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54564cdf textbox\" data-id=\"54564cdf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12f122ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12f122ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday, Mr. El Husseini is believed to be back in Lebanon. Persons close to him say that he fell victim to the Middle East\u2019s sectarian politics. They claim that in early 2017, the Sunni Muslim rulers of Abu Dhabi expelled the Shi\u2019ite businessman. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-12229e63 elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"12229e63\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b3a7330 textbox\" data-id=\"2b3a7330\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;motion_fx_opacity_level&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;motion_fx_opacity_range&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:{&quot;start&quot;:40,&quot;end&quot;:50}},&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_effect&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_opacity_direction&quot;:&quot;out-in&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;]}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ead12e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ead12e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA person who has met Mr. El Husseini describes him as a charming but secretive individual who gives nothing away. Politicians in Berlin, and in particular some senior Social Democrats, are doubtless hoping that things will stay that way.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c5695eb elementor-section-height-min-height slide-40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"4c5695eb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-de4e76a\" data-id=\"de4e76a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-521ee819 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"521ee819\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Do you have any question or additional information? This is how you can reach our reporter <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: white;\" href=\"mailto:frederik.richter@correctiv.org\">Frederik Richter<\/a>. Messaging App Signal: +4917675628865. Threema: J5A6SWPY. Stay up to date with CORRECTIV\u2019s English-language <a style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: white;\" href=\"\/en\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">newsletter.<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Comment on this investigation:<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d051cb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d051cb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/correctiv_org\/status\/1176533513811763200\" target=\"blank\"><button class=\"button button1\">Twitter<\/button><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/1399637916952318\/posts\/2367129800203120?sfns=mo\" target=\"blank\"><button class=\"button button2\">Facebook<\/button><\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63d0afe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"63d0afe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30d60c9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30d60c9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis investigation has been made possible by our supporters. Donate now to support independent, investigative journalism.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14b0d58b elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"14b0d58b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/en\/single-donation\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Donate now<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-784aa097 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"784aa097\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59f3006a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59f3006a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Reporting by:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/team\/frederik-richter\/\">Frederik Richter<\/a> (CORRECTIV),\nChristian Rohde, Ulrich Stoll (Frontal21), Hans-Martin Tillack (Stern)\n<strong>Design:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/team\/benjamin-schubert\/\">Benjamin Schubert<\/a>\n<strong>Development:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/team\/benjamin-schubert\/\">Benjamin Schubert<\/a>, <a href=\"\/team\/michel-penke\/\">Michel Penke<\/a>\n<strong>Contributions:<\/strong> Anne-Lise Bouyer, Simon W\u00f6rpel, Jonathan Sachse\n<strong>Pictures:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/team\/ivo-mayr\/\">Ivo Mayr<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ab3516e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7ab3516e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17537215 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17537215\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Photo credits:<\/p><p>Odd Andersen \/ AFP, Jean-Paul Barbier \/ AFP, Mike Benna-Lobe \/ unsplash.com , Lars Berg \/ imago images, Rodger Bosch \/ AFP, Carlo Bressan \/ AFP, Daniel Brosch \/ unsplash.com, Gerhard Cerles \/ AFP , Johannes Eisele \/ AFP, Eventpress Mueller-Stauffenberg \/ dpa , Gregor Fischer \/ dpa , H\u00fcdaverdi G\u00fcng\u00f6r Correctiv, Ryad Kramdi \/ AFP, Yannic Kress \/ unsplash.com, John MacDougall \/ AFP, Ludovic Marin \/ AFP, Ivo Mayr \/ Correctiv, Marijan Murat \/ picture alliance, Fayez Nureldine \/ AFP, Roslan Rahman \/ AFP , Frederik Richter \/ Correctiv, Stefan Sauer \/ dpa , Tobias Schwarz \/ AFP, Christof Stache \/ AFP, Patrik Stollarz \/ AFP, Julian Stratenschulte \/ dpa, Anja Trappe, Brandy Turner \/ unsplash.com, Scott Warman \/ unsplash.com , J\u00f6rg Waterstraat \/ picture alliance \/ SULUPRESS.DE, Craig Whitehead \/ unsplash.com, Valentin Zick \/ CORRECTIV, H\u00fcdaverdi G\u00fcng\u00f6r \/ CORRECTIV, Pressedienst Botschaft Angola<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c12c1c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c12c1c2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-18596713\" data-id=\"18596713\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12ae8c75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"12ae8c75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<script>\nvar prevScrollpos = window.pageYOffset;\nwindow.onscroll = function() {\nvar currentScrollPos = window.pageYOffset;\n  if (prevScrollpos > currentScrollPos) {\n    document.getElementById(\"masthead\").style.top = \"0\";\n  } else {\n    document.getElementById(\"masthead\").style.top = \"-120px\";\n  }\n  prevScrollpos = currentScrollPos;\n}\n<\/script>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The President and the Arms Dealer A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts in Berlin. A CORRECTIV investigation with public broadcaster ZDF\u2019s Frontal21 and Stern magazine. 24. September 2019 The President and the Arms Dealer A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts \u2013 in Berlin. A CORRECTIV investigation with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1889,"featured_media":49656,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[114],"class_list":["post-49916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories","tag-fuer-unsere-gesellschaft-en"],"acf":{"post::topline":"","post::excerpt":"A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts in Berlin. A CORRECTIV investigation with public broadcaster ZDF\u2019s Frontal21 and Stern magazine.","post::authors":false,"post::related":""},"cvui_categories":[{"id":23,"name":"Top-Stories","slug":"top-stories"}],"cvui_featured_image":{"widget-post":{"url":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/weine-social-thumb-970x530.jpg","width":970,"height":530},"list":{"url":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/weine-social-thumb.jpg","width":686,"height":386},"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/weine-social-thumb.jpg","width":220,"height":124},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/correctiv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/weine-social-thumb.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080}},"cvui_featured_image_alt":"Die Weine des Waffenh\u00e4ndlers","cvui_yoast_metadesc":"A story of international arms deals \u2013 and expensive gifts \u2013 in Berlin.","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - 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