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U.S. charges five in bomb components suit

25 October 2011 23:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday charged five individuals with fraud conspiracy involving exports of components found in bombs in Iraq, APA reports.

The department alleged in the indictment that the five individuals and four of their companies were part of a conspiracy to defraud the United States, exporting thousands of radio frequency modules to Iran, at least 16 of which were later found in unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq.

The five individuals include four Singaporeans arrested Monday by authorities in Singapore in connection with a U.S. request for extradition. The remaining individual defendant, Hossein Larijani, is a citizen and resident of Iran who remains at large.

The charges "allege that the defendants conspired to defraud the United States and defeat our export controls by sending U.S.- origin components to Iran rather than to their stated final destination of Singapore. Ultimately, several of these components were found in unexploded improvised explosive devices in Iraq," said Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "This case underscores the continuing threat posed by Iranian procurement networks seeking to obtain U.S. technology through fraud and the importance of safeguarding that technology."

The suit came as the United States is charging Iran of links to militant groups inside Iraq, as well as a conspiracy to assassinate Saudi Ambassador in Washington.