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Feb 5, 2010
Iran weapons : Taiwanese held
<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> MIAMI - US AUTHORITIES said on Thursday they arrested a Taiwanese man for allegedly smuggling US-made military components to Iran that could help the Islamic republic develop missiles and unmanned drones. Yi-Lan Chen, 40, who also goes by Kevin Chen, was arrested on Wednesday on the US Pacific territory to Guam and is being sent to Miami, where prosecutors had sought his arrest.
If convicted, Chen faces up to 20 years in prison and up to US$1 million (S$1.4 million) in fines. Prosecutors said that Chen had exported 'dual-use' technology - which ostensibly has civilian purposes but can be applied for the military - to Taiwan or Hong Kong where it would be reloaded and shipped to Iran. 'The dual-use items allegedly exported in this case could easily be used in missile development and other military components,' US Attorney Jeffrey Sloman said in Miami.
'Such conduct poses a serious threat to our national security, and will not be tolerated,' he said. The goods Chen is accused of exporting to Iran include P200 turbine engines and spare parts, which can be used for model airplanes but also for unmanned military drones, prosecutors said. 'This case will send a message to those individuals who attempt to profit by illegally supplying improper dual-use technology to other countries,' said Anthony Mangione, an US immigration agent investigating the case. Iran is under a raft of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union over its nuclear program and its support for hardline Islamist movements overseas. -- AFP
Home > Breaking News > World > Story
Feb 5, 2010
Iran weapons : Taiwanese held
<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> MIAMI - US AUTHORITIES said on Thursday they arrested a Taiwanese man for allegedly smuggling US-made military components to Iran that could help the Islamic republic develop missiles and unmanned drones. Yi-Lan Chen, 40, who also goes by Kevin Chen, was arrested on Wednesday on the US Pacific territory to Guam and is being sent to Miami, where prosecutors had sought his arrest.
If convicted, Chen faces up to 20 years in prison and up to US$1 million (S$1.4 million) in fines. Prosecutors said that Chen had exported 'dual-use' technology - which ostensibly has civilian purposes but can be applied for the military - to Taiwan or Hong Kong where it would be reloaded and shipped to Iran. 'The dual-use items allegedly exported in this case could easily be used in missile development and other military components,' US Attorney Jeffrey Sloman said in Miami.
'Such conduct poses a serious threat to our national security, and will not be tolerated,' he said. The goods Chen is accused of exporting to Iran include P200 turbine engines and spare parts, which can be used for model airplanes but also for unmanned military drones, prosecutors said. 'This case will send a message to those individuals who attempt to profit by illegally supplying improper dual-use technology to other countries,' said Anthony Mangione, an US immigration agent investigating the case. Iran is under a raft of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union over its nuclear program and its support for hardline Islamist movements overseas. -- AFP
