The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a criminal case against Apple subsidiaries in Belgium and France, accusing the tech giant of using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.
The DRC government alleges that Apple’s supply chains involve contraband materials sourced from conflict zones in eastern DRC and Rwanda, regions plagued by illegal mining activities.
Lawyers claim these materials were laundered into global supply networks and ultimately incorporated into Apple devices. 
Charges against Apple include war crimes, money laundering, forgery, and deceptive practices. The DRC contends that armed groups controlling some artisanal mines in the region are responsible for atrocities such as massacres, mass rapes, and looting.
By using these materials, Kinshasa alleges, Apple is complicit in the crimes.
Apple has denied direct sourcing of raw materials and maintains it rigorously audits the origin of its supplies. However, Congolese lawyers accuse the company of misleading consumers about the ethical integrity of its supply chains.
Rwanda, also implicated in the case, has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Eastern DRC, rich in minerals, has endured decades of violence involving rebel groups and the national army, contributing to an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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