Thread by @ICIJorg

NEW: #ShadowDiplomats exposes the global scale of misuse and exploitation of a little-known role in international diplomacy called honorary consuls, undermined by alleged criminals.

Investigated by ICIJ, @propublica and 160 journalists in 46 countries. 🧵 bit.ly/3hAFpUp

Founded centuries ago, the honorary consul system was meant as a lifeline for countries unable to afford foreign embassies but has since broadened into a mainstay of international relations, embraced by a majority of the world’s governments. bit.ly/3UTbZ2m

Honorary consuls are largely unregulated volunteer diplomats who work from their home countries to promote the interests of foreign governments — with some of the same protections and perks provided to career diplomats.

Many do the job honorably. bit.ly/3UTbZ2m

In the #ShadowDiplomats investigation, ICIJ and 60 media partners identified 500+ current and former honorary consuls who have been embroiled in controversy or accused of crimes, including drug and weapons trafficking, murder, fraud and terror financing. bit.ly/3AesAFH

#ShadowDiplomats identified nine honorary consuls who officials have linked to terrorist groups.

Most were tied to Hezbollah, a political party, service provider and militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries. bit.ly/3O2xawE

Former U.S. officials who have investigated Hezbollah’s financial network told #ShadowDiplomats reporters that the use of honorary consul status by the terrorist group is intentional, well organized and woefully unexamined. bit.ly/3O2xawE

#ShadowDiplomats also uncovered honorary consuls who were caught abusing their positions worldwide to enrich themselves, evade law enforcement, advance political agendas, or to support authoritarian regimes.

Explore more than a dozen case studies here: bit.ly/3UTu3Jt

Although governments have appointed thousands of honorary consuls, no one has a reliable total.

Many nations who participate in the honorary consul system do not publicly identify who they are, so ICIJ is publishing data on what we uncovered worldwide. bit.ly/3UO9ApK

Want to know more about honorary consuls and their under-the-radar system of international diplomacy?

Tweet us any questions you have about #ShadowDiplomats.

We answered commonly asked questions here: bit.ly/3O2juSl

This is just the first installment of the #ShadowDiplomats investigation.

Sign up to receive forthcoming stories by ICIJ and media partners on honorary consuls who have been sanctioned, others who have served Russian President Vladimir Putin and more. bit.ly/3bkNEOJ