A businessman and his employee have been given suspended jail sentences for illegally trying to export parts to Iran which could be used for weapons.
Dr Ramin Pouladian-Kari, 45, from Guildford in Surrey, was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years.
And Arbrene Hussain, 32, also from Guildford, was jailed for six months, suspended for two years.
Both were found guilty at the Old Bailey of knowingly attempting to export electrical switchgear parts.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the goods, valued at £135,000, could have been used in the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
The offences took place in 2009, the court heard.
‘Motivated by money’
Pouladian-Kari was also ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work while Hussain was ordered to complete 100 hours.
The 45-year-old, who ran a company called GTC Associates, based in Guildford, denied the parts could be used for military purposes.
The goods, sent to Iran Tablo Co (ITC), based in Tehran, were passed for export at the Port of Dover in Kent because computer systems were down for maintenance on that day.
Pouladian-Kari was later told a licence had been denied, even though the shipment had already left the country.
The jury heard he then attempted to export another shipment, which was stopped at Dover on 24 November 2009.
Pouladian-Kari had said the parts would be used to protect human life against electrical faults such as short circuits.
Assistant Director of HMRC Peter Millroy said: “Export controls exist for a very good reason – to prevent dangerous items ending up in the hands of hostile regimes.
“Pouladian-Kari knew he couldn’t legally export these components to ITC without a licence.
“He was motivated purely by money and chose to go ahead with the deal.”
Source » bbc