The indictment also asserts that Asefi and Karimian
acted with knowledge and intent to violate the Iran
embargo when on September 27, 2007, Asefi sent an e-mail
to Karimian regarding Karimian’s interest in
establishing a “profitable business collaboration” for
the purpose of procuring aircraft and aircraft
components for end-users in Iran. The indictment further
alleges that on or about October 1, 2009, Asefi sent an
e-mail to Karimian which outlined the terms of delivery
and payment on future transactions with Iran Air and
stated, “…remember that, only U.S. Embargo has brought
this chance and benefit to us, to get involved in these
deals….”
According to count two of the indictment, beginning in
September 2009 and continuing through April 2010, Asefi
and Karimian violated the embargo against Iran by
exporting and causing the export of services related to
the sale of a G.E. Aircraft Engine Model CF6-50C2, as
well as the procurement of helicopters manufactured by
Bell Helicopter, from the United States to Iran, without
first having obtained the required authorizations from
the U.S. Department of Treasury. All of the aircraft and
aircraft parts involved in this case were intended for
civilian use.
“The investigation and prosecution of national security
cases is the top priority of the Department of Justice
and my office,” said U.S. Attorney Hale. “We view the
circumvention of Iranian export control laws as a very
serious matter. The FBI should be commended for its
excellent work in disrupting this international scheme
and bringing these men to justice.”
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act
authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions on
a foreign country when the President declares a national
emergency with respect to a national security threat. On
March 15, 1995, the president issued an executive order
declaring the actions and policies of the government of
Iran constituted a national emergency.
On
May 6, 1995, the president issued an executive order
imposing the Iran trade embargo. On June 23, 2011, the
U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on
Iran Air after designating it as a proliferator of
weapons of mass destruction for providing material
support and services to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps. At sentencing, Asefi and Karimian face a maximum
sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, and
a three-year period of supervised release on each count.
Sentencing is scheduled before Chief District Judge
Joseph H. McKinley, Jr. on March 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. in
Louisville.
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