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Iranian Man Faces US Charges in Weapons Part Scheme

VOA News

   TheU.S. Justice Department announced Tuesdaythatan Iranian man will
   face federal charges in connection with an alleged scheme to obtain
   military parts that could be used in nuclear and otherweapons systems.

   The law enforcement agency saidMerdadAnsari was extradited from the
   U.S. state of Georgia to San Antonioin the U.S. state ofTexasto face
   the charges.

   "As alleged, the defendant helped Iran to develop its weapons programs
   by obtaining military parts in violation of the
   Iraniantradeembargo,"said John Demers,assistantattorneygeneral
   fornationalsecurity.

   A federal grand jury indicted the 38-year-old Ansariin 2012with
   conspiracy to launder money and commit wire fraud. A co-defendant was
   sentenced to two years in federal prison on charges of conspiring to
   purchase parts in the U.S. and have them shipped to Iran.

   Between 2007 and 2011, the Justice Department saidAnsariand
   co-defendants acquired or tried to get parts from 63 different U.S.
   companies without the companies'knowledge they were being sent to Iran.

   Ansari faces up to 25 years in federal prison if convicted.

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