IIlegal Exports of Strategic Equipment to Iran
U.S. Justice Department Indicts Foreign Nationals and Corporations
Sep 19, 2008
Illegally exporting sensitive military equipment, from body armor and missile parts, to nuclear submarine technology, which go to countries that target the United States and its allies, continues to be a problem. Last year the Pentagon reported a 43 percent increase in suspicious foreign contacts with U.S. defense firms. The indictment of sixteen foreign nationals and corporations on September 11, 2008 is a recent case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Illegal Exports to Iran Potential
Illegal exports to Iran charges against the defendants allege that they purchased and then exported, through various countries, numerous "dual use" commodities. "Duel-use" commodities are goods and technologies that have commercial application but can also have further military or nuclear potential. This could do potential harm to the United States and its allies.
Illegal Exports to Iran Conspiracy Charges
Illegal exports to Iran conspiracy charges include violations of the Emergency Economic Powers Act and the United States Iran Embargo and making false statements to federal agencies in the connection with the export of thousands of U.S. "dual-use" goods to Iran.
Among the thirteen counts against the defendants are conspiracy to export goods to Iran, which were run through middle countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, England, Germany and Singapore, in violation of the laws governing the destination and use of military and nuclear components made in the United States.
Illegal Exports to Iran Defendants
Illegal Exports to Iran Defendants include:
- Ali Akbar, an Iranian national and naturalized British Citizen.
- F. N. Yaghmael, a/k/a “Farrokh Nia Yaghmaei,” and Iranian nation.
- Mayrow General Trading
- Madjic Micro Electronics, a/k/a “MME,” and Al-Faris, all Dubai-based businesses
- Neda Industrial Group, an Iran-based business
- Bahman Ghandi, a/k/a “Brian Ghandi,” and Iranian national
- Fashid Gillardian, a/k/a “Issac Gill, an Iranian national and naturalized British citizen
- Kaam Chee Mun, a/k/a “Brian Kaam”, a resident of Malaysia
- Djamshid Nezhad, a/k/a “Reza,” a resident of Germany
- Ahmad Rahzad, a/k/a “Saeb Karim,” an Iranian national
- Majid Seif, a/k/a “Mark Ong, “a/k/a “Matti Chong,” an Iranian National residing in Malaysia
- Eco Biochem Sdn BHD, Malaysian business
- Vast Solutions Sdn BHD, Malaysian business
If convicted of conspiracy charges, the defendants each face a statutory maximum sentence of five years imprisonment; twenty years for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iran Embargo, five years for making false statement and in addition, fines up to $1 million.
U.S. Government agencies involved with the apprehension and indictment of those charged include:
- Department of Justice Southern District of Florida
- Attorney General for National Security
- Department of Justice
- Department of Commerce
- Department of the Treasury
- Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)
- Homeland Security: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
According to Mario Mancuso, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, “This extensive, effective government effort has broken up a lethal international ring seeking to harm American and allied forces as well as innocent civilians by acquiring sensitive U.S. technology capable of improving improvised explosive devices (IED) similar to those being used in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Sources:
United States Department of Justice
Office of the United States Attorney General, Southern District of Florida
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