|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
 |
    |
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Pakistani Indicted in U.S. on Smuggling Charges
A U.S. federal grand jury indicted a Pakistani businessman Wednesday on charges of smuggling nuclear weapon components, the Los Angeles Times reported (see GSN, March 28). Humayun Khan of Islamabad has been implicated in involvement with a network suspected of supplying both Pakistan and India with components for their nuclear weapons and ballistic missile systems, the Times reported. He is charged with illegally exporting on several occasions U.S. equipment that can be used in nuclear weapons programs. The Justice Department on Friday unsealed a plea agreement signed in November by Khan’s associate, Asher Karni of South Africa. The two allegedly directed U.S.-manufactured equipment through South Africa, the Times reported. Top federal authorities said the case implies a potentially grave threat to U.S. security. “The United States government will spare no effort to disrupt the illegal trade in technology with nuclear applications,” said Kenneth Wainstein, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. The case shows that “the proliferation of nuclear components is not only a homeland security threat but a global threat,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Michael Garcia. If convicted, Khan faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison, the Times reported. He is not in custody, and federal investigators have not been able to interview him (Josh Meyer, Los Angeles Times, April 9). Karni pleaded guilty in September to arranging exports of regulated electronic equipment to Pakistan and India, federal prosecutors disclosed Friday. As part of his plea agreement, Karni acknowledged involvement in selling equipment related to nuclear weapons and missile research to India in 2002, the New York Times reported. Karni worked for Khan in 2002 and 2003. He bought and exported to Pakistan oscilloscopes and 200 high-speed electrical switches that can be used in a nuclear device, according to Khan’s indictment. Khan is believed to be in Pakistan, according to the Times, and a Pakistani Embassy official said he was unaware of a U.S. arrest warrant. The federal investigation has unearthed evidence that Khan was involved in sales of nuclear-related technology to countries other than Pakistan through a network similar to the one established by former top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, a senior Commerce Department official said Friday. The two Khans are not believed to be related, officials said (David Cloud, New York Times, April 9).
| ||||||||||
Back to top
