ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
Indian man charged in US for violating export laws
If convicted, Kaushik faces a maximum 20 years in prison and fines up to $1 million for each count in the indictment.
Stock image. / Pexels
Sanjay Kaushik, a 57-year-old Indian national, has been indicted in the United States for conspiring to illegally export aviation components with both civilian and military applications to Russia, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act.
The indictment, filed in the District of Oregon on Nov. 20, accuses Kaushik of attempting to export controlled navigation and flight control systems from Oregon to Russia via India and making false statements regarding the transactions.
Kaushik was arrested on Oct. 17 in Miami, Florida, following a criminal complaint and arrest warrant issued by the District of Oregon. According to court documents, Kaushik and his co-conspirators began their activities as early as March 2023, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The conspiracy involved obtaining aerospace technology from the US under false pretenses, claiming it was for Kaushik's Indian company, while intending to send the goods to Russian entities.
In one instance, Kaushik's group purchased an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), a critical device for aircraft navigation and flight control, from an Oregon-based supplier. The AHRS requires an export license from the US Department of Commerce for shipment to restricted countries like Russia. Kaushik and his associates falsely stated that the component would be used in a civilian helicopter by Kaushik's Indian company. However, the system was intercepted before it could be exported, preventing it from reaching its intended Russian end user.
If convicted, Kaushik faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines for each count in the indictment.
The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in Portland, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Gregory R. Nyhus and attorneys from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
The case falls under the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, which was established in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The task force enforces sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures against entities attempting to circumvent international measures targeting Russian military aggression.
Officials, including Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod, and US Attorney Natalie K. Wight, reiterated their commitment to holding individuals accountable for actions undermining US sanctions and security protocols.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login