Iran uses nomineee buyers to get US devices for use in Iraq bombs
Washington Post:
Update: The NY Times reports that at least one Iranian has been indicted.
Radio frequency modules made in the United States ended up in the detonation systems of roadside bombs targeting coalition forces in Iraq, according to the Justice Department, which unsealed an indictment Tuesday describing the illegal export of the devices to Iran.
The department said it is seeking the extradition of four men who were arrested Monday in Singapore. The department said the men, all citizens of Singapore, falsely told the Minnesota-based firm that made the modules that the parts were for a telecommunications project in Singapore.
The Justice Department said that after the modules arrived in Singapore, they were forwarded to Iran by air freight through third countries.
Charged in the indictment are Wong Yuh Lan, Lim Yong Nam, Lim Kow Seng and Hia Soo Gan Benson. The indictment, which was returned last month and unsealed Tuesday, also charges Hossein Larijani, an Iranian citizen, who remains at large. Larijani owned a company in Singapore, Opto Electronics, and another in Tehran, Paya Electronics Complex.
The indictment alleges that the Singaporeans negotiated a price of $69.30 for each module and billed the Iranian company $85 per module, or $510,000 for the order of 6,000 modules.
The men, along with associated companies, were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, illegal export of goods from the United States to Iran, false statements and obstruction of justice. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The Commerce Department on Tuesday announced that it is adding to its Entity List various people and companies in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Iran that were allegedly associated with the conspiracy. That action essentially bars U.S. companies from exporting to them.
...I am all for arresting the nominee purchasers and bringing them to justice. but what about the Iranian purchasers. Surely we know who they were by tracing the invoice. They should be indicted too and demand should be made for their extradition. They are accessories to murder and terrorism.
Update: The NY Times reports that at least one Iranian has been indicted.
Comments
Post a Comment