The recent revelations from the media consortium EIC have shed light on the dubious practices of Geneva-based company Alp Services. This intelligence firm was engaged by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to tarnish the reputations of perceived adversaries in Switzerland and Europe. Among the targeted individuals were Kamel Jendoubi, a Tunisian, and Ahmed Himmiche, a Moroccan, both former UN investigators on Yemen.
Alp Services and their Covert Operations
Unveiling the Abu Dhabi Secrets Investigation
For the past week, the international Abu Dhabi Secrets investigation has been uncovering the clandestine activities of Alp Services, a Geneva-based intelligence company. Since 2018, the company’s mission has been to undermine the reputation of UAE’s perceived “enemies” in Switzerland and Europe.
Targeting UN Human Rights Council Actors
Alp Services primarily focused on various individuals associated with the UN Human Rights Council, headquartered in Geneva. Operating under the name “Probus,” the Geneva detectives specifically directed their efforts towards Kamel Jendoubi and Ahmed Himmiche, the Tunisian and Moroccan investigators respectively.
UN Investigators Targeted: Kamel Jendoubi and Ahmed Himmiche
Investigating War Crimes in Yemen
Appointed at the end of 2017, Kamel Jendoubi, a former Tunisian minister, and his colleague Ahmed Himmiche, a former senior officer in the Moroccan army, were tasked with investigating the war in Yemen. The civil war in Yemen involves various parties, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Accusations of War Crimes
In August 2018, Jendoubi presented the initial findings of their investigations in Geneva, accusing Abu Dhabi of committing war crimes. Seizing this opportunity, Alp Services proposed a campaign to discredit both Jendoubi and Himmiche.
Filing and Denigration
Creating Detailed Biographies
Alp Services meticulously compiled comprehensive dossiers on the two investigators, exploring their professional and family ties, educational backgrounds, and political affiliations. Their objective was to find any vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Unleashing the Smear Campaign
Starting in early 2019, the smear campaign targeted Kamel Jendoubi exclusively. TV channels affiliated with the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, along with social media platforms, disseminated derogatory information aimed at questioning Jendoubi’s honesty, neutrality, expertise, and integrity.
Lack of Response and Disappointment
Seeking Assistance from the OHCHR
Jendoubi reached out to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to report the attack and disinformation campaign. However, his plea received no response, leaving him feeling disappointed and ignored.
Questioning Switzerland’s Role
Expressing his frustration, Jendoubi voiced his disappointment with Switzerland hosting a company like Alp Services. He found it shocking that such an entity exists in Switzerland, known for being a headquarters for the United Nations and other international organizations.
The revelations regarding Alp Services’ covert operations have exposed the targeting and smear campaign orchestrated against UN investigators Kamel Jendoubi and Ahmed Himmiche.
The lack of response from the OHCHR raises concerns about the accountability of rogue states involved in such activities. As this investigation unfolds, it underscores the need for increased scrutiny of intelligence firms and the protection of individuals working to uncover human rights violations.
