Posted on 03/17/2006 5:29:03 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN DIEGO - A Pakistani who spent five years in prison for selling missile parts to Iran in the 1980s was convicted Friday of illegally exporting military aircraft parts to Belgium, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Arif Ali Durrani was convicted in U.S. District Court on four counts of exporting engine parts and other components for the F-5 fighter jet and the Chinook helicopter, said Jennifer Silliman, assistant special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Diego.
Durrani was also convicted on one count of conspiracy to export parts, she said. The ultimate destination for the parts was Iran, she said.
"The Arms Export Control Act exists to prevent exactly what Durrani tried to do in this case profit from illegal, international arms trafficking," said U.S. Attorney Carol C. Lam.
Durrani faces up to 45 years in prison when he is sentenced June 5. Calls Friday to Durrani's lawyer, Moe Nadim, were not immediately returned.
Durrani coordinated the exports from Rosarito Beach, Mexico, where he moved to after being deported from the United States, officials said.
Durrani had served five years in prison after being convicted in 1987 of selling missile parts to Iran in the 1980s. He said his actions were part of the Iran-Contra scandal in which the United States exchanged arms to gain release of U.S. hostages held in Lebanon.
Last year, former Navy intelligence officer George Charles Budenz II pleaded guilty to illegally exporting military aircraft parts overseas.
In court, Budenz said he made the air freight shipments in December 2004 and January 2005 at the direction of Durrani.
At the time, prosecutor William Cole said Durrani was the mastermind of the exports while Budenz facilitated getting the products of the United States.
Maybe he was just trying to keep them on our good side. Because they are staunch allies, and would NEVER purchase aircraft parts that might be used against us.
Seems like our best friends in the UAE have no compunction regarding providing US military hardware to Iran. I am shocked and surprised.
Please notice.....this is another PAKISTANI.
It's beginning to look like we need a Ping List to track all news articles involving the damned PAKISTANIS...
Semper Fi
My guess would be these parts were heading for Iran. All the other foreign users of the F-5 are still in good standing with our government. They get support through the foreign military sales office of the Air Force.
This type of activity would be consistent with several other illegal exportation cases as the Iranians get more desperate to keep their aging fleet flying.
Well thought out response. I see we still have the knee-jerk emotions flying around here. Customs has stated publicly that the UAE has been instrumental in cases like this. Of course no one pays attention to testimony in front on the Senate... unless it is NEGATIVE for Republicans. Then it is "neon-light" time for sure.
LLS
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