Italian fugitive who credited himself for developing diplomatic relations between Liberian and the UAE governments, resulting in the construction of roads, hospitals and sports centers died off the coast of Dubai while his dealings with Liberian authorities lingers in mysteries.
Samuele Landi who escaped prosecution in Italy become Liberia’s Consul General in the United Arab Emirates. Then Foreign Minister Maxwell Kimayah declined to response to Oracle News Daily inquiry on why the Weah administration enlisted an Italian businessman facing multiple financial crimes charges in his country into Liberia’s diplomatic service.
While his legal troubles rumbled on in Italy, Landi started a new life in Dubai. He set up a cybersecurity company and became a diplomat, after being appointed as consul general in the UAE for the African state of Liberia.
It is through this role that he first came in contact with people from Blue Carbon. Landi said he accompanied a delegation from Liberia to a meeting with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family and chairman of Blue Carbon.
“When they formed the company a year ago they asked me to be their advisor”, Landi said. “I help them with information technology. Sometimes they call me to make evaluations on IT solutions.” He told Climate House in Dec. 2023.
Liberia is one of the African countries that have signed a raft of memorandums of understanding with Blue Carbon in the run-up to Cop28, alongside the governments of Kenya, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. Landi said he was not directly involved in the negotiations between Blue Carbon and Liberia.
Samuele Landi, a fugitive Italian IT expert and former Eutelia CEO, was found dead after a storm swept away his floating platform in early Feb, of this year. Just as his dealings with Liberian officials have been seeped in secrecy, his passing, too. The Aisland project, Landi’s vision of a sustainable floating city, aimed to accommodate up to 5,000 people off Dubai’s coast.
Landi had been on the run since 2010, following his bankruptcy conviction in Italy. Instead of hiding, he chose to channel his entrepreneurial spirit into creating a futuristic floating city. Despite the legal challenges, Landi remained committed to his vision, even stating that he would rather die than return to dry land.
Born and raised in Arezzo, Italy, Landi was a skilled enduro motorcycle champion and successful programmer. He founded Eutelia, a major telecommunications company, before facing legal troubles and relocating to Dubai. His family is still awaiting DNA results to confirm his identity, but preliminary evidence suggests that Landi was among the recovered bodies.
Family Grieves the Loss of a Loved One
Landi’s family received informal communication about a fingerprint match with one of the bodies found at sea. They are now dealing with the heartbreaking news and seeking closure. Despite his legal troubles, Landi will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit and the impact he made during his lifetime.
An Unusual Legacy
Landi’s attempt to create a floating microstate in the Persian Gulf to evade taxes and a fraud conviction may have ended in tragedy, but his vision of a utopian community at sea continues to inspire. His missing person’s case has now turned into a search for justice as authorities unravel the complex tapestry of motives, histories, and potential futures in this unusual tale.
As the world mourns the loss of Samuele Landi, the dream of a floating city off Dubai’s coast lives on. The lines between technology and humanity continue to blur, and Landi’s story serves as a reminder of the eternal dance between ambition, innovation, and the consequences of our actions.
