So yeah. We're up against #ErikPrince and his forces now. You know, the folks who weaponize #cropdusters, attack #protestors, and want to spy on everyone! YIKES!
#BigBrother is #BigOilAndGas and #Oligarchy
#ErikPrinceColonialism #CorporateColonialism #CorporateFascism!
#CropDusters
[Full article available via the #InternetArchive]
The #FBI Is Investigating #ErikPrince for Trying to #Weaponize #CropDusters
by Matthew Cole
February 20 2020
"Last May [May 2019], shortly after Congress accused Erik Prince of lying under oath and referred criminal charges to the Justice Department, an associate approached the #Blackwater founder to offer help and commiserate about Prince’s potential legal jeopardy.
"Prince, who once moved to the United Arab Emirates to avoid being caught up in a federal prosecution, immediately dismissed the associate’s concerns. He was untouchable, he bragged, and would face no legal troubles.
"'Not under this guy,' Prince said referring to President Donald #Trump, according to a person with direct knowledge of the exchange.
"That assumption is about to be tested.
"Prince, an heir to a billion-dollar fortune who is widely viewed as a shadow adviser to the president, is under federal investigation for his 2015 attempt to modify two American-made crop-dusting planes into attack aircraft — a violation of arms trafficking regulations — two people familiar with the investigation told The Intercept. The planes became part of private military services Prince proposed to sell or use in mercenary operations in #Africa and #Azerbaijan, as The Intercept has previously reported.
"The investigation into the modified crop dusters is one of several ongoing probes targeting Prince. Another focuses on the allegations that he lied to Congress during the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into #Russia’s 2016 presidential election interference; a third concerns a 2017 armed aviation proposal to the #UAE, according to the Wall Street Journal."
https://theintercept.com/2020/02/20/erik-prince-fbi-investigation-trump-barr/
#PrivateArmy #Xe
#Academi #CorporateColonialism #PrivateArmies #WeaponizedCropDusters
#Blackwater founder and 4 others on trial in #Austria over export of modified crop-spraying planes
By The Associated Press
November 16, 2023
BERLIN — "Five people including the founder of the Blackwater security firm went on trial in Austria on Thursday, accused of exporting two #cropspraying aircraft that were allegedly refitted for #military purposes without required permits.
"The trial in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna, stems from an investigation into a local company, #AirborneTechnologies GmbH, which fits out aircraft with sensors and other equipment.
"Prosecutors say that two Ayres Thrush agricultural aircraft were equipped with armor, extra tanks and a special camera that could be used for marking and illuminating targets. They say one was sent to #Malta in 2014 with #Kenya as its declared destination and landed in troubled #SouthSudan, while the other was sent to #Bulgaria in 2015.
"The defendants are accused of violating Austria's law on war material by exporting such equipment without permission. One of the defendants, an Australian pilot, is accused of flying the two planes across Austria's borders, while the four other defendants allegedly participated in the deal. They are Blackwater founder Erik Prince, two managers at Airborne Technologies and a trained pilot who allegedly was an adviser.
"All pleaded not guilty as the trial started, the Austria Press Agency reported.
"The next court session is scheduled for Dec. 14 [2023]."
https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/austria-aircraft-export-trial-prince-blackwater-w27391
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