4 Indicted for US Parts Used in IEDs Against US Troops in Iraq

Wednesday, 26 Oct 2011 03:45 PM

A U.S. company exported 6,000 radio frequency modules to a firm in Singapore that ended up being transferred to Iran and used in the detonation systems of IEDs used against U.S. troops in Iraq. The charges were outlined in an indictment that the Justice Department unsealed, The Washington Post reported.

The indictment said four citizens of Singapore told the Minnesota-based company that the parts were for a telecommunications project. After the parts were delivered to Singapore, they were sent to Iran, the Post reported.

The four men were arrested in Singapore, and the Justice Department is seeking their extradition. The indictment also charges an Iranian citizen who remains at large. The man, Hossein Larijani, owned Opto Electronics in Singapore and Paya Electronics Complex in Tehran, the Post reported.

Charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, illegal export of goods, false statements, and obstruction of justice.

“This case underscores the continuing threat posed by Iranian procurement networks seeking to obtain U.S. technology through fraud,â€