The Communication addresses the supply of arms by several arms manufacturing companies in Europe to members of the Coalition.
ECCHR and its partners are focusing on the companies involved in the production of Eurofighter Typhoon military aircrafts, the Tornado and Mirage aircraft, and refueling planes, as well as the subsequent exports of spare parts and maintenance to keep these aircrafts operational during the course of the conflict.
The companies which the OTP is asked to investigate are: Airbus Defence and Space S.A. (Spain), Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Germany), BAE Systems Plc. (UK), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), and Dassault Aviation S.A. (France).
In addition, the Communication analyses the role of companies producing guided bombs, bombs and targeting pods used by the military aircrafts. It points at the exports of MK 80 series bombs, Paveway IV guided bombs, and Storm Shadow and Brimstone Missiles, all evidenced to have been used in the conflict. The companies involved are: Raytheon Systems Ltd. (UK), MBDA France S.A.S. (France), MBDA UK Ldt. (UK), Rheinmetall AG (Germany) through its subsidiary RWM Italia S.p.A. (Italy), and Thales (France).
Some of these arms – as evidenced in the Communication – have been used in airstrikes in Yemen that may amount to war crimes. Other arms exported have allegedly contributed to the Coalition’s capacity to carry out such airstrikes.
Therefore, this Communication requests the OTP to investigate the individual criminal responsibility of some of the high-level officials of these companies. In addition, it asks the OTP to investigate the responsibility of the government officials who authorized these arms exports for the respective European companies which have produced these arms or related parts and components.