A Russian-German man who had been detained earlier this week in Cyprus was accused by US authorities on Thursday of attempting to smuggle electronics development in the US for military use to Russia.
According to the US Department of Justice, Arthur Petrov, 33, engaged in an illegal export activity when he set up a scheme to buy American microelectronics for a Russian company that supplies critical electronics components to the Russian military.
“Petrov used a cover company in Cyprus, telling US vendors that the electronics were to be used in Cyprus or other authorized countries for fire security systems”, the Justice Department continued.
It was claimed that Petrov knew that the microcontrollers and integrated circuits he wanted to purchase were illegal to export to Russia.
The Justice Department claims that a Saint Petersburg company called Electrocom VPK, which provides electronic components for Russian weapons makers, was the ultimate purchaser.
According to the justice department, Petrov was detained in Cyprus on August 26, at the request of the US. It was not specific whether an official extradition request had been made.
Smuggling, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracies to violate the Export Control Reform Act are some of the charges against him. Many of the offenses carry sentences of up to 20 years in jail.
Since President Vladimir Putin ordered the disastrous invasion of pro-Western Ukraine, the United States, along with Europe and other democratic countries, has imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia.
“Those who evade our export control restrictions to support Putin’s brutal war machine will be held accountable”, stated Matthew Axelrod, Assistant US Secretary of Commerce.
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