 |
| Drone technology used by the U.S. military is highly sought by foreign governments. |
A PAKISTANI national was sentenced today (Sept. 2 )to 33 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez of the District of Arizona. Syed Vaqar Ashraf of Lahore, Pakistan, reviously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally export technology used by U.S. military drones.
Ashraf, 71, attempted to procure gyroscopes and illegally ship them to Pakistan so they could be used by the Pakistani military, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo of the District of Arizona.
Ashraf, 71, attempted to procure gyroscopes and illegally ship them to Pakistan so they could be used by the Pakistani military, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo of the District of Arizona.
In an effort to evade detection, Ashraf arranged for the gyroscopes to be purchased in the name of a shell company and caused the gyroscopes to be transshipped to Belgium.
On Aug. 26, 2014, Ashraf was arrested by the Belgium Federal Police at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who had been conducting an undercover investigation of Ashraf’s activities.
Ashraf then traveled to Belgium to inspect the gyroscopes and arrange for their final transport to Pakistan.
On Aug. 26, 2014, Ashraf was arrested by the Belgium Federal Police at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who had been conducting an undercover investigation of Ashraf’s activities.
Earlier this summer, Wenxia Man, was convicted in a San Diego court and sentenced to four years of prison for trying to send similar technology to China.
###
No comments:
Post a Comment