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US charges Singaporeans for selling Iran bomb parts

youallhumsup

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US charges Singaporeans for selling Iran bomb parts
Posted: 26 October 2011 0034 hrs

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http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20111026/irqrsbmb-re.jpg
Residents inspect a damaged church after a bomb attack in central Kirkuk, 250km north of Baghdad, Iraq. Four Singapore citizens and an Iranian have been accused by the United States of illegally exporting radio equipment to Iran from the United States, for use in bombs attacks in Iraq. -- PHOTO: REUTERS


WASHINGTON: The United States charged four Singaporeans and an Iranian on Tuesday with illegally exporting US-made radio equipment to Iran that ended up in roadside bombs targeting coalition forces in Iraq.

The United States has requested the extradition of the Singaporeans, who were arrested on Monday in Singapore, but the Iranian is still at large and lives in Iran, the Justice Department said.

Three Singapore-based companies and an Iranian company were also charged in the indictment, which accuses Iranian national Hossein Larijani of masterminding the illegal export of 6,000 radio frequency modules from a Minnesota-based company to Iran.

The modules have encryption capabilities and a range that allows them to transmit data wirelessly as far as 40 miles (65 kilometers) when configured with a specialized antenna.

At least 16 were discovered by US forces in Iraq being used in remote detonation systems for IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which, according to the indictment, caused roughly 60 percent of American combat casualties in Iraq between 2001 and 2007.

"Yesterday, authorities in Singapore arrested Wong Yuh Lan (Wong), Lim Yong Nam (Nam), Lim Kow Seng (Seng), and Hia Soo Gan Benson (Hia), all citizens of Singapore, in connection with a US request for extradition," the Justice Department said.

"The remaining individual defendant, Hossein Larijani, is a citizen and resident of Iran who remains at large."

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

Some of the defendants were also charged in a separate fraud conspiracy involving the export of sensitive military technology to Singapore and Hong Kong -- radio antennas for use in fighter jets.

US Attorney Ronald Machen said the defendants misled US companies into exporting parts that ended up in IEDs on the battlefield in Iraq. "We hope for a swift response from Singapore to our request for extradition," he added.

"In each transaction, the defendants allegedly told the Minnesota firm that Singapore was the final destination of the goods," the indictment said. "The defendants also caused false documents to be filed with the US government, in which they claimed that a telecommunications project in Singapore was the final end-use for the modules.

"In reality, each of the five shipments was routed from Singapore to Iran via air cargo. The alleged recipient of all 6,000 modules in Iran was Larijani, who had directed Wong, his employee in Singapore, to order them."

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Lisa Monaco said the case "underscores the continuing threat posed by Iranian procurement networks seeking to obtain US technology through fraud and the importance of safeguarding that technology."

US officials regularly accuse Iran of meddling in the politics of Baghdad's Shiite-led government, and training and backing militant groups that target US troops in the south of Iraq.

Admiral Mike Mullen, then the top US military officer, said in July that Iran was stepping up its support for Shiite militants in Iraq, supplying them with more sophisticated weapons that were being used against American forces.

Analysts have voiced concern that Tehran's ability to interfere could increase as a result of President Barack Obama's announcement last week that all US troops will be pulled out of Iraq by the end of this year.

"These cases are the product of vigorous, cooperative law enforcement focused on denying to Iran items that endanger our coalition forces on the battlefield in Iraq," said Under Secretary of Commerce Eric Hirschhorn.

"We will continue aggressively to go after such perpetrators -- no matter where they operate -- to guard against these types of threats."

US Ambassador to Singapore, David Adelman, praised the cooperation of different departments both within the United States and with the Singaporean authorities.

"Twenty-first century law enforcement is most effective when countries work collaboratively as evidenced by this strong, cooperative effort between the US and Singapore," he said.

The Singapore embassy in Washington declined comment on the matter.

-AFP/ac/cc

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youallhumsup

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S'poreans accused by US of selling bomb parts, arrested

Posted: 26 October 2011 2209 hrs

SINGAPORE: The four Singaporeans accused by the United States of illegally exporting bomb parts to Iran have been arrested and remanded in custody without bail.

They are Wong Yuh Lan (female, age 39), Lim Yong Nam (male, age 37), Lim Kow Seng (male, age 42) and Benson Hia Soon Gan (male, age 44).

They were arrested by Commercial Affairs Department officers on Tuesday, and later produced in Court number 10 of the Subordinate Courts.

Singapore's Attorney-General's Chambers said the extradition papers submitted by the US are in the process of being served on the four persons or their counsel.

There'll be a hearing to go through the evidence provided by the US in order for the court to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to extradite them.

The AGC said the case further underscores Singapore's commitment to internationally-coordinated efforts in the context of transnational crime so that enforcement agencies are not hampered when dealing with persons operating across borders.

It also shows that Singapore takes its international obligations seriously.

The AGC said Singapore shares the US' concerns about the violation of export control laws and the illegal diversion of strategic goods, and will not condone Singapore being used as a base for proliferation activities.

The case will be mentioned at the Subordinate Courts of Singapore again on November 1.

- CNA/cc

 

youallhumsup

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Accused S'poreans secured deal to buy devices in 2007

Radio modules arrived in S'pore from US, then were shipped to Iran

Published on Oct 28, 2011



This image released by the IntelCenter earlier this month shows Ansar al-Islam operatives producing weapons like rockets, silencers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The group operates mainly in Iraq, where IEDs have been the top threat to US troops. The four Singaporeans are accused of selling radio equipment that could be used in IEDs to an Iranian buyer. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


By Chua Chin Hon, US Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON - The tangled international plot that allegedly ties four Singaporeans to deadly roadside explosives in Iraq began in unlikely fashion four years ago - with a hard bargain.

On June 20, 2007, according to court documents filed in the United States capital, Singaporean Wong Yuh Lan contacted a major American wireless device manufacturer and tried to drive down their asking price for a powerful radio frequency module by almost 40 per cent - from US$98.45 (S$123) to US$60.

The device is commonly used to transmit data wirelessly. But it can also be used as part of a remote detonator for 'improvised explosive devices', or IEDs, which have been the No. 1 threat to American troops in Iraq in recent years.

Wong failed to clinch a deal. The 39-year-old, who was then working for Opto Electronics, a company in Singapore owned and operated by an Iranian, then contacted another Singaporean, Lim Yong Nam, 37, for help.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
 

JohnnyQuid

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Loyal
wow, how come no koran thumping, bearded Muslims instead the Sinkies are all well...at least the 19 in Whitley Detention Centre did it for a cause and not for profit..Jah Rastafar, Clinton 666, coolio care to comment, why u all so silent??? Please comment leh....
 

youallhumsup

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S'poreans accused of exporting bomb parts to Iran further remanded
Posted: 01 November 2011 1938 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The four Singaporeans, accused by the US of illegally exporting bomb parts to Iran, have been remanded for another seven days.

All four Singaporeans - Lim Kow Seng, Lim Yong Nam, Benson Hia Soon Guan and Wong Yuh Lan - who were shackled, appeared solemn at their second court appearance on November 1.

They are accused of exporting US-made radio equipment to Iran that ended up in bombs, targeting coalition forces in Iraq.

The prosecution asked for the four, who were arrested on October 25, to be remanded for a further seven days.

Under the Extradition Act, they can only be held for up to seven days from the day of arrest.

A relative of 37-year-old Lim Yong Nam who was at the court session was seen breaking down when Lim appeared at the dock.

Defence counsel for Lim Yong Nam asked for his client to undergo a psychiatric assessment at the Institute of Mental Health.

He said this will help him advise Lim on any bail options.

But the judge declined the request saying a medical assessment will be done by a prison doctor instead.

On November 8, the judge will fix another date for a committal hearing, likely to take place end of this month. That's when the four will know if they will be extradited to the US.

Mr Thong Chee Kun from Rajah Tann is representing two of the Singaporeans - Lim Kow Seng and Benson Hia.

"The Court will still have to review the entire matter and also assess sufficiency of evidence as well. There are a bunch of documents that are provided by the US side," said Mr Thong.

The charges include conspiracy to defraud the US, smuggling and illegal export of goods from the US to Iran.

An Iranian national, accused of masterminding the illegal export, is currently on the run.

- CNA /ls

 

red amoeba

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I find it odd...the mastermind is on the run...

and since it involves international crime...shldn't the mstermind be arrested -who might lead to further arrests / greater plot before beginning extradition?
 

youallhumsup

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Remand extended for S'poreans accused of exporting bomb parts
Posted: 08 November 2011 2114 hrs

SINGAPORE : The four Singaporeans who have been accused by the US of illegally exporting bomb parts to Iran will be remanded for another week.

Lim Kow Seng, Lim Yong Nam, Benson Hia Soon Guan and Wong Yuh Lan made their third appearance in court on Tuesday.

They will be remanded for seven days - a decision made after a 30-minute closed-door session.

Also turning up in court were some family members, along with officials from the US embassy.

The lawyer of Lim Yong Nam said his client was mentally affected by the case, and will be allowed to see a private psychiatrist.

Hamidul Haq, defence counsel, said: "We made an application for the court to allow for my client to be visited by a psychiatrist or for him to be remanded in a mental institution to assess his mental health. Because we pointed out that as a result of this case and even before that, he was suffering mentally as a result of the investigations that took place."

The four Singaporeans will be in court next Tuesday.

- CNA/ms

 

CheesePie

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Four Singaporeans deny conspiracy to defraud US

By Alvina Soh | Posted: 12 December 2011 1832 hrs

SINGAPORE: Four Singaporeans charged with illegally exporting US-made radio equipment to Iran have denied the charges in court on Monday.

The four - Wong Yuh Lan, Lim Yong Nam, Lim Kow Seng and Hia Soo Gan Benson - are challenging a US request to extradite them to face charges in the United States.

The non-committal hearing at the Subordinate Courts will weigh US evidence against the four of making the illegal export to Iran, and also determine if there are sufficient grounds for them to be extradited.

All four, who are in the electronics distribution business, were arrested in Singapore in October on US charges of illegally exporting the US-made radio equipment, including 6,000 radio modules and 55 antenna parts, and conspiring to evade a US trade embargo against Tehran.

Three Singapore-based companies and an Iranian company were also similarly charged.

Court documents have cited an Iranian national Hossein Larijani as being the mastermind behind the plan to make the illegal export of 6,000 radio frequency modules from a Minnesota-based company to Iran. He is still at large.

The radio modules have a range of 65 kilometres when configured with a specialised antenna.

At least 16 were discovered by US forces in Iraq in bombs that were remotely detonated, and the US says, possibly caused about 60 percent of American combat casualties in Iraq between 2001 and 2007.

One of the four accused, Lim Kow Seng, a former station manager with SMRT, was tasked with obtaining quotations and procuring deals for antenna parts.

Lim alleges that he did not know the identity of his customer and said he was led to believe the parts were meant for commercial and not military use.

He added that he did not know that the transaction would potentially contravene US export regulations against Iran and was unaware that it was necessary to have an export licence for the parts.

Both private tutor Benson Hia and trading director Lim Yong Nam also said they believed they were involved in a "legitimate ordinary business transaction".

Hia added that his total profit margin for the transaction was "unsubstantial at about 3 percent or up to US$2,458.50."

The thin bespectacled man also told reporters, "We are dragged through m&d and are going through hell".

Lim Yong Nam was granted bail of S$100,000 after a psychiatric report was tendered in court from his doctor.

The other three remain in custody.

Mr Cheng Tai Heng, an expert witness for three of the accused - Lim Yong Nam, Lim Kow Seng and Benson Hia - had previously told the court that the charge of conspiracy to defraud the US is not an extraditable offence under a treaty between the two countries or under the Singapore Extradition Act.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mark Jayaratnam, who did not cross examine Mr Cheng on Monday, said that he will be awaiting an expert report from the US to address the issues raised by Cheng.

He also told the court that he will be liaising with the US Department of Justice.

A pre-trial conference will be held next Monday.

- CNA/de
 

General Veers

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Judge allows S'poreans' extradition over bomb parts exports

Posted: 10 February 2012 1735 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Subordinate Court has cleared the way for the extradition to the United States of four Singaporeans accused of illegally exporting radio components to Iran that later ended up in Iraqi roadside bombs.

The three men and a woman are Lim Kow Seng, Lim Yong Nam, Benson Hia Soon Guan and Wong Yuh Lan.

They are accused of exporting US-made radio equipment to Iran that ended up in bombs, targeting coalition forces in Iraq.

The charges include conspiracy to defraud the US, smuggling and illegal export of goods from the US to Iran.

An Iranian national, accused of masterminding the illegal export, is currently on the run.

The US government immediately welcomed the decision even though the four accused have 15 days to appeal against the extradition to face a US trial.

US Ambassador to Singapore, David Adelman said the ruling reflects the strong spirit of cooperation between the United States and Singapore in combating transnational crime, including the illicit trade in arms and equipment that can pose significant threats to the United States and the international community.

He added that the US appreciates the Singapore government's support in this case, and that they look forward to continuing close ties on other important law enforcement issues.

- CNA/ck
 

General Veers

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limyongname.jpg


Lim Yong Nam (above), 37, one of the four Singaporeans accused by the United States (US) government of conspiring to evade a US trade embargo against Iran,
were ordered to be extradited to the US by a district court on Friday. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW





 

General Veers

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Bail extended for S'porean wanted by the US
By Claire Huang | Posted: 17 February 2012 1908 hrs

SINGAPORE : Bail has been extended for one of the four Singaporeans wanted by the United States government for allegedly conspiring to evade an American trade embargo against Iran.

A High Court judge ordered that Lim Yong Nam be given another week on bail.

Lim and three others - Wong Yuh Lan, Lim Kow Seng and Benson Hia Soo Gan - had been ordered to be extradited to the US by a District Judge on February 10.

Lim is out on bail of S$100,000 while the rest are in custody.

His passport has been impounded.

The District Judge ruled that Lim has severe psychiatric conditions and is not suitable to be in detention.

On Friday, the prosecution's Mark Jayaratnam asked High Court Judge Choo Han Teck to revoke the bail ordered by the District Judge.

But Lim's defence lawyer, Hamidul Haq, submitted in his court documents that the District Judge understood that detaining Lim would be "detrimental to his life and health".

The defence urged Justice Choo to take this into consideration when making his decision.

He said Lim "would only suffer a severe relapse of his psychiatric condition" if he is detained.

Mr Haq also suggested in court documents that Lim could be committed to Mount Elizabeth Hospital as an alternative to a prison environment.

He urged Justice Choo not to hold Lim in custody at the Institute of Mental Health as it is against the advice of the accused's psychiatrist.

The case has been postponed to next Thursday.

The four are accused of exporting electronic components from a US company to Iran, which ended up in explosives in Iraq.

At least 16 radio frequency modules were discovered by US forces in Iraq in bombs that were remotely detonated.

The US believes the bombs were the possible cause of about 60 per cent of American combat casualties in Iraq between 2001 and 2007.

- CNA/ms
 

General Veers

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Bail revoked for man accused of sending Iran weapon parts


Published on Feb 23, 2012
By Selina Lum

The High Court has revoked the bail granted to one of four Singaporeans awaiting extradition to the United States accused of sending US-made weapons parts to Iran.

Lim Yong Nam, 37, is facing extradition to the United States, which accuses him of plotting to run foul of it trade embargo on Iran.

Two weeks ago, Lim and three others - Wong Yuh Lan, 39, Lim Kow Seng, 42, and Benson Hia Soo Gan, 44 - were ordered by a magistrate to be extradited to the US.

Lim was granted bail of $100,000 on grounds that he was suffering from a psychiatric condition, while the other three were detained pending extradition.


Last week, the prosecution applied to revoke Lim's bail, arguing that the magistrate had no right to do so under the Extradition Act.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
 

Yi Dao

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Four in Iran arms case seek review of order

Alleged offences fall outside list of extradition crimes, defence argues

Published on Apr 20, 2012
By Selina Lum

Four Singaporeans accused of sending United States (US)-made weapon parts to Iran on Thursday went to the High Court to challenge their extradition to the US to stand trial.

Arguing for their release, their lawyers are contending that the magistrate who ordered the four sent to the US to be tried was wrong to have regarded their offence as an extradition crime.

The four are Wong Yuh Lan, 39, Lim Yong Nam, 38, Lim Kow Seng, 42, and Benson Hia Soo Gan, 44, who are all in the electronic parts distribution business.

They were arrested here last October, after the US asked that they be extradited.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
 

BuiKia

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Generous Asset
Only another Mat will justify and try to make some sense of the action by Islamic terrorists. BTW, the 19 are doing it for the imaginary 72 virgins.

wow, how come no koran thumping, bearded Muslims instead the Sinkies are all well...at least the 19 in Whitley Detention Centre did it for a cause and not for profit..Jah Rastafar, Clinton 666, coolio care to comment, why u all so silent??? Please comment leh....
 
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Akuma

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Two S'poreans accused of sending weapon parts to Iran to be released

By TODAY | Posted: 07 August 2012 2051 hrs

SINGAPORE: Two of the four Singaporeans accused by the American government of sending US-made weapon parts to Iran - 39-year-old Wong Yuh Lan and 38-year-old Lim Yong Nam - have been ordered to be released by a High Court Judge after they succeeded in their challenge against an earlier District Judge's ruling.

The other two, Lim Kow Seng, 42, and Benson Hia Soo Gan, 44, failed in their challenge against the ruling, and now face extradition to the United States to stand trial. All four were arrested here last October, after the US asked that they be extradited.

They were accused of defrauding the US by sending electronic parts from an American firm to Iran, thus breaching its trade embargo against Iran. These parts were said to have been found later in improvised explosive devices in Iraq.

In a 64-page judgment released today, Justice Choo Han Teck noted that there "is no reciprocal offence in Singapore to the US charges" faced by Wong and Lim Yong Nam. Further, at the time Wong and Lim's acts were allegedly committed, the Singapore Customs did not require prior authorisation in the form of permits to be obtained to export or re-export of non-prohibited goods to Iran.

As for Lim Kow Seng and Hia, who were linked to the illegal export of military-use antennas to Singapore, Justice Choo said their alleged conduct "gives rise to an offence in Singapore that falls within Article 3 of the Singapore-US Treaty". The judge found that there was "a dishonest concealment" when the antennas were being exported out of the United States without a licence.

- TODAY
 
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