Guilty Plea in Parts Exporting Case

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a guilty plea in a case involving a company that allegedly conspired to illegally export military and commercial aircraft parts to Iran. According to Justice Department officials, Hassan Saied Keshari and his corporation, Kesh Air Intl, bought aircraft parts on behalf of purchasers in Iran and exported them via freight forwarded in Dubai, UAE. Another defendant charged in the case — Traian Bujduveanu and his company, Orion Aviation, who allegedly sold the parts to Kesh Air — has not entered a plea. Components listed include F-14 fighter, Cobra AH-1 helicopter and CH-53A helicopter parts. The Iranian military flies all of those aircraft types. Keshari faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, in addition to a $500,000 fine for Kesh Air Intl. Sentencing for Keshari is set for April 8.
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