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UK firm pleads guilty to exporting Boeing to Iran
[Iran Press TV Latest] Balli Aviation Ltd., a UK based company, pleaded guilty to criminal charges involving the illegal export of commercial Boeing 747 aircraft from the US to Iran. The plea agreement requires a civil penalty of $15 million, of which $2 million will be suspended as long as no additional export control violations are reported. Additionally, Balli is denied export privileges for five years. "These charges reflect the commitment of the United States to vigorously enforce our laws against corporations that illegally seek to acquire US aircraft from the US on behalf of Iranian customers," said acting US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Channing Phillips. Balli Aviation Ltd, through its subsidiaries, bought three Boeing 747 aircraft in 2007. The aircraft were used for regular commercial flights in and out of Tehran, according to court papers filed in December. The company was accused of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran without first obtaining the required export license or authorization from the US government, the papers said. Iran has been under US sanctions in the aftermath of the victory of the Islamic Revolution some three decades ago, which overthrew an American-allied monarch. The bans have barred Iran from acquiring new airplanes, as the country struggles to keep its aging fleet in air. Posted by: Fred 2010-02-06 |
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