Pakistani Man Charged Over Shipments to Pakistan's Nuclear Program

[Trisonics]

WASHINGTON—U.S. prosecutors on Wednesday charged a Pakistani man with running a smuggling operation that shipped materials and equipment to the agencies operating Pakistan's nuclear program.

A grand-jury indictment in Baltimore accuses Nadeem Akhtar, 45 years old, who operated an export firm in Maryland, of obtaining the items from U.S. companies and illegally exporting them to agencies that are on a U.S. Commerce Department blacklist.

Prosecutors said the materials include radiation-detection devices, calibration equipment and nuclear-grade resins that can be used "directly or indirectly in activities related to nuclear reactors and the processing and production of nuclear-related materials."

Mr. Akhtar made a first appearance in court Wednesday and was ordered detained pending a hearing Thursday.

The indictment alleges that Mr. Akhtar worked with another man, not identified in the indictment. This man directed Mr. Akhtar with a shopping list and told him how to conceal where the items were being shipped, the indictment said. The unidentified man, also charged in the indictment, is believed to be in Pakistan and out of reach of U.S. authorities, according to court papers.

The indictment alleges that the men paid U.S. suppliers with funds transferred from Pakistan via Dubai to U.S. bank accounts, including Mr. Akhtar's personal accounts.

Mr. Akhtar was paid a 5% to 7.5% commission for shipping the items based on the cost of the equipment, according to the indictment.

The Pakistani agencies receiving the equipment include the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Chasma Nuclear Power Plant, the U.S. alleged. Both are banned from receiving certain items from the U.S. for national-security reasons.

Among the alleged illegal shipments were orders in 2005 and 2006 from a North Dakota company that manufactures equipment to detect radiation. The items were shipped to the Chasma plant, according to the indictment.

In 2006 and 2008, Mr. Akhtar purchased equipment from a Massachusetts company used to control electrical circuits in nuclear power and fuel reprocessing plants, according to the indictment. The items were shipped to the Chasma plant, it says.

Pakistani Man Charged Over Shipments to Pakistan's Nuclear Program - WSJ.com

 

[Trisonics]

Federal Bureau of Investigation - The Baltimore Division: Department of Justice Press Release



Department of Justice Press Release
white spacer
For Immediate Release
March 9, 2011 United States Attorney's Office
District of Maryland
Contact: (410) 209-4800

Pakistani National Indicted in Scheme to Illegally Export Restricted Goods and Technologies to Pakistan

BALTIMORE—A federal grand jury has indicted Nadeem Akhtar, age 45, of Silver Spring, Maryland, on charges related to a scheme to illegally export items that are used directly or indirectly in activities related to nuclear reactors and the processing and production of nuclear-related materials. The indictment was returned on March 11, 2010 and unsealed today.

Akhtar had an initial appearance today at noon, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mildred Methvin, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Judge Methvin ordered Akhtar detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow, March 10, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Rick Shimon of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement's Washington Field Office.

“The United States regulates the export of items that can be used in nuclear facilities, requiring a seller to truthfully disclose the end user,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “The indictment alleges that Nadeem Akhtar conspired to violate export regulations by selling controlled items while misrepresenting what they were and to whom they would be sold.”

“U.S. businesses that produce regulated technology must remain vigilant about purchasers who misrepresent the intended use, especially as it relates to foreign transactions,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely. “We cannot let our guard down in keeping regulated technology from reaching those who are prohibited from acquiring it.”

“This arrest is the product of a vigorous, cooperative joint agency investigation focused on denying and disrupting the illegal export of controlled nuclear technology destined for Pakistan,” said Eric L. Hirschhorn, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. “We will continue to work aggressively to identify and apprehend willful proliferators, no matter where they operate, in order to guard against these types of national security threats.”

Akhtar, a Pakistani national and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., owns Computer Communication USA (CC-USA). According to the indictment, the export of certain goods and services from the United States to foreign countries is regulated, in order to protect, among other things, the national security of the U.S. A license to export certain items is required if the items are being exported to an end-user of concern or in support of a prohibited end-use.

The indictment alleges that from October 2005, through March 11, 2010, Akhtar conspired with others to illegally export restricted goods and technology to Pakistan without the necessary licenses, specifically radiation detection devices, resins for coolant water purification, calibration and switching equipment, and surface refinishing abrasives. All of those items require a license for export because they can be used in activities related to nuclear reactors and the processing and production of nuclear material. The indictment further alleges that Akhtar attempted to conceal the ultimate end-use and/or end-users of the commodities that he sought to purchase and export, and their true value by causing false, misleading and incomplete information to be placed on documents such as invoices, purchase orders, air bills, and end-user statements. Further the indictment alleges that Akhtar transported funds to carry out this illegal activity.

Akhtar faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy to commit export violations and to defraud the United States; a maximum of 20 years in prison for the unlawful export of goods; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Christine Manuelian, who is prosecuting the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey E. Eisenberg, Chief of the National Security Section, who is supervising the case.

 

[VelocuR]

Awesome news! A fearless Pakistani who sold items to Pakistan before late arrested....





The indictment alleges that the men paid U.S. suppliers with funds transferred from Pakistan via Dubai to U.S. bank accounts, including Mr. Akhtar's personal accounts.

Mr. Akhtar was paid a 5% to 7.5% commission for shipping the items based on the cost of the equipment, according to the indictment.

The Pakistani agencies receiving the equipment include the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Chasma Nuclear Power Plant, the U.S. alleged. Both are banned from receiving certain items from the U.S. for national-security reasons.

Among the alleged illegal shipments were orders in 2005 and 2006 from a North Dakota company that manufactures equipment to detect radiation. The items were shipped to the Chasma plant, according to the indictment.

 

[A1Kaid]

He must be be released immediately "Nadeem Akhtar" has diplomatic immunity. He works at the Pakistani embassy in DC doing administrative and technical work.

 

[A1Kaid]

This is a violation of International Law and the Vienna Convention! He must be immediately released free Mr. Akhtar is a Pakistani diplomat with full level diplomatic immunity in acceptance with Washington.

 

[alimobin memon]

its just another propaganda we muslims have no time just steal what abt us himself stealing oil huh f**** yo!!

 

[JayAtl]

Awesome news! A fearless Pakistani who sold items to Pakistan before late arrested....





The indictment alleges that the men paid U.S. suppliers with funds transferred from Pakistan via Dubai to U.S. bank accounts, including Mr. Akhtar's personal accounts.

Mr. Akhtar was paid a 5% to 7.5% commission for shipping the items based on the cost of the equipment, according to the indictment.

The Pakistani agencies receiving the equipment include the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Chasma Nuclear Power Plant, the U.S. alleged. Both are banned from receiving certain items from the U.S. for national-security reasons.

Among the alleged illegal shipments were orders in 2005 and 2006 from a North Dakota company that manufactures equipment to detect radiation. The items were shipped to the Chasma plant, according to the indictment.

He must be be released immediately "Nadeem Akhtar" has diplomatic immunity. He works at the Pakistani embassy in DC doing administrative and technical work.

its just another propaganda we muslims have no time just steal what abt us himself stealing oil huh f**** yo!!

Another Nail in the coffin. I know I know you think its funny--- but this " proliferation stigma" is stuck to Pakistan and this time it ain't because of the WOT.

You Know- if I was Pakistani or if Indians did this crap- I would be all over their case. Seriously, what has happened to you guys? ... that you are actually advocating and condoning something that is detrimental to your image , which is already in the crapper. Come on guys, you are smarter than that...

 

[XYON]

At least he is a Patriot who was working for the benefit for Pakistan, unlike the money-hungry INDIAN AMERICAN who was caught red-handed by the US DOJ few months back for supplying American Stealth technology secrets to China!!!!!

 

[GUNS-N- ROSES]

i think it is an american tactic to put pressure on pakistan. now they can safely ask pakistan to release davis in return of nadeem akhtar. i was expecting such kind of response from americans.

 

[khurasaan1]

This is a violation of International Law and the Vienna Convention! He must be immediately released free Mr. Akhtar is a Pakistani diplomat with full level diplomatic immunity in acceptance with Washington.

He must be released of any kind of indictment..cuz he enjoyz diplomatic immunity. under Jeneva convention ..otherwise US should get ready for the UN's sanctions military and economic...etc etc...ummm

 

[khurasaan1]

i think it is an american tactic to put pressure on pakistan. now they can safely ask pakistan to release davis in return of nadeem akhtar. i was expecting such kind of response from americans.

Dont worry we got hundredz of Davis's running around here(training and supplying nukes for terrorism around the world) we will catch all of them ..what US gonna do then...

 

[Devil Soul]

Yesterday only their was news that IAEA gave go ahead to PAK for building 2 civil nuclear power plants.. am not surprised on this news

 

[khurasaan1]

At least he is a Patriot who was working for the benefit for Pakistan, unlike the money-hungry INDIAN AMERICAN who was caught red-handed by the US DOJ few months back for supplying American Stealth technology secrets to China!!!!!

no no dont say like that.. cuz that guyz did the right thing to help chinese in their R& D stuff...he is our hero too...Money doesn't matter ..it is his right too to demand some money for living...at least he didn't obey as US slave

 

[GUNS-N- ROSES]

Dont worry we got hundredz of Davis's running around here(training and supplying nukes for terrorism around the world) we will catch all of them ..what US gonna do then...

spoken like a true naive person. brother u have caught only one. do u think these intelligence operatives are operating with " i m a CIA operative " tag that u will immidately identify and catch them.

these people r trained to be invisible. i bet if u can catch even 10 in one year.

P.S. too much of jingoistic rant shows low level of intellect. pls do remember in future.

 

[khurasaan1]

Another Nail in the coffin. I know I know you think its funny--- but this " proliferation stigma" is stuck to Pakistan and this time it ain't because of the WOT.

You Know- if I was Pakistani or if Indians did this crap- I would be all over their case. Seriously, what has happened to you guys? ... that you are actually advocating and condoning something that is detrimental to your image , which is already in the crapper. Come on guys, you are smarter than that...

Hey man...Who cares abot the US ..does it have any human values...they killed their own 3000 pplz in 9/11 and now running Terrorist training camps in Afghanistan/Pakistan tribal areas with hundreds of Davis's running around supplying nukes and biological weapons to them so that they can kill millions of pplz around the world...I think US shold be broken down to 52 states and UN should send it forces over there so that no terrorism originates from there...