Antinuclear

Australian accused of selling weapons technology to Iran

Asked if he will voluntary go to the U.S. to answer the current allegations Mr. Levick said, “would you?”

“If convicted, Mr. Levick faces a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and 20 years in prison for each count of violating IEEPA,” the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement

“The U.S. is now likely to seek his extradition from Australia to the U.S., if they have not done so already,”

U.S. Accuses Australian Man of Selling Arms Parts to Iran By ENDA CURRAN and JAMES GLYNN,  WSJ,  March 2, 2012,
SYDNEY—An Australian charged in the U.S. with participating in a scheme to export sensitive technology to Iran says he was unaware the equipment was destined for Tehran until he was warned by Australia’s spy agency.

A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia has indicted David Levick, 50 years old and general manager Sydney-based
electronics company ICM Components Inc., for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and both the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, and Arms Export Control Act as well as four counts of illegally exporting the equipment that could be used for a range of military purposes including missiles, drones and torpedoes.

In a telephone interview Friday with The Wall Street Journal, Mr.
Levick said that he became aware that the equipment was destined for
Iran only after he was notified by the Australian Security
Intelligence Organization, or ASIO. “I have got no idea what’s
happening next,” said Mr. Levick, who has hired an attorney to
represent him.

Mr. Levick later said that officers from ASIO raided his office
located in the industrial area of Thornleigh in 2008 and confiscated
computers, equipment and documents. He said the raid was also
connected to the sale of electronics to Iran but declined to give more
details or specify whether if he was contacted again by ASIO. He said
that ASIO called him to collect his office belongings a week later.
Mr. Levick said he stopped shipping the electronics after ASIO raided
his office.

Asked if he will voluntary go to the U.S. to answer the current
allegations Mr. Levick said, “would you?”

A spokeswoman for ASIO declined to comment and Australia’s Department
of Foreign Affairs referred questions to the Attorney General’s
office, which declined to comment, or say if the U.S. government was
seeking the arrest and extradition of Mr. Levick. The U.S. consulate
in Sydney declined to say whether authorities are seeking Mr. Levick’s
extradition for questioning and possible trial.

“If convicted, Mr. Levick faces a potential maximum sentence of five
years in prison for the conspiracy count and 20 years in prison for
each count of violating IEEPA,” the U.S. Justice Department said in a
statement. The investigation into Mr. Levick’s alleged activities
included agents from the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export
Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation…..
Mr. Levick is accused of helping to supply Iran with equipment
including “VG-34 Series Miniature Vertical Gyroscopes”, used to
measure and control the pitch of target drones, missiles and
torpedoes; and “K2000 Series Servo Actuators”, used for throttle
mechanism on aircraft, according to the Justice Department statement
on Feb. 29.

The department alleges that beginning in March 2007 until March 15
2009, Mr. Levick and ICM “solicited purchase orders” from a
representatives of a trading company in Iran for U.S.-origin aircraft
parts and other goods.

Described as “Iranian A,” this person operated intermediary companies
in Malaysia, according to the department.

“The U.S. is now likely to seek his extradition from Australia to the
U.S., if they have not done so already,” said Clive Williams,
Professor of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at Australia
National University……
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203986604577255990069005780.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

March 3, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized