Umar’s business trip allegedly had a simple mission: sell uncut and untraceable diamonds direct from a war-torn mine to the highest bidder among unscrupulous dealers in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world. The industry began in Antwerp about 500 years ago. Today, 85% of the world’s rough diamonds and half of the polished ones are traded in the city. Shown are the Cathedral of Our Lady (center) and statues of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, plus his wife, Salacia.
