MIAMI -- Two men have been charged with illegally exporting military aircraft components to Iran, federal prosecutors said Monday.
Hassan Saied Keshari, 48, and Traian Bujduveanu, 53, are charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the United States Iran embargo and the Arms Export Control Act for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to export U.S.-made military aircraft parts to Iran.
According to the affidavit, Keshari owns and operates Kesh Air International, a business located in Novato, Calif. Bujduveanu owns and operates Orion Aviation Corp., located in Plantation, Fla.
The affidavit alleges that since August 2006, Keshari and Bujduveanu have procured U.S.-made military aircraft parts in the U.S. for buyers in Iran and have illegally shipped the parts to a company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for shipment to buyers in Iran.
Keshari allegedly received the orders for specific parts by e-mail from buyers in Iran. He allegedly requested quotes, usually by e-mail, from Bujduveanu and made arrangements with Bujduveanu for the sale and shipment of the parts to a company in Dubai. From Dubai, the parts were then shipped to Iran.
Among the aircraft parts that Keshari and Bujduveanu are alleged to have obtained and illegally shipped to buyers in Iran are parts for the CH-53 military helicopter, the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and the AH-1 attack helicopter. Keshari is also alleged to have requested quotes for other parts for other military aircraft, including F-4 Phantom aircraft.
All of these aircraft are designated by the U.S. Department of State as defense articles on the U.S. munitions list. Neither man is registered or had the required license to ship defense articles to Iran, authorities said.
Keshari was arrested at Miami International Airport shortly before midnight Friday as he walked off a flight from Atlanta. Bujduveanu was arrested at his home Saturday.
Prosecutors said federal agents found boxes of military aircraft parts stored at Bujduveanu's home while executing a search warrant.
Both men were ordered held in custody until a detention hearing Thursday.
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