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German TV uncovers illegal arms deal with S. Arabia

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Aug 12, IRNA -- Germany's public television network ARD on Thursday disclosed an illegal German arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

ARD reported that the Saudi government-owned arms company MIC was exporting German G-36 assault rifles, thus violating German export laws.

German armament company Heckler & Koch has licensed its assault rifles for production by MIC which has been showcasing the assault rifles at weapons exhibitions.

The latest revelations have triggered fierce criticism by Germany's opposition parties, demanding an explanation by the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Both Berlin and Heckler & Koch have refused to elaborate on details of the arms deal, citing confidentiality.

Germany has played a major role in arming the Saudi regime in recent years.

Last month, Germany's opposition Green party said it would sue the government over its refusal to divulge secret details of a highly controversial tank deal with Saudi Arabia, according to the Hamburg-based news magazine Der Spiegel.

The lawsuit filed by three members of the Green parliamentary faction argued the ongoing silence of the German government on the sale of 200 Leopard 2 combat tanks to the authoritarian Saudi regime violated the nation's constitution which bans the sale of weapons to crisis-hit regions like the Middle East.

Germany, which for two decades has declined to sell such heavy weapons to Saudi Arabia because of concerns over human rights and fears for the security of the Zionist regime, has refused to officially confirm the reports on the multi-billion-euro deal citing a secrecy policy on such deals.

Opposition politicians and even members of the ruling center-right coalition parties have lambasted the reported tank sale, particularly in light of democratic uprisings throughout the Middle East.

Critics of the deal say the tanks could be used to crush street protests which is an especially sensitive issue since Saudi Arabian troops played a major role in cracking down on pro-democracy protests in neighboring Bahrain.