US indicts Pakistani-Canadian for aiding Pakistan’s weapons programs

WASHINGTON: A 67-year-old Pakistani was indicted for violating US export laws to obtain goods associated with Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs, the US Department of Justice said on Friday.

Mohammad Jawaid Aziz, a dual citizen of Pakistan and Canada, was arrested on March 21 in Washington while attempting to cross into the United States from Canada.

The justice department said that Aziz allegedly obtained U.S.-origin goods on behalf of prohibited entities in Pakistan that were associated with the country’s nuclear, missile, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs.

According to the indictment, Siddiqui, while operating through Diversified Technology Services, procured various goods – including sensitive and restricted items subject to export administration regulations (EAR) and those on the Commerce Control List – from U.S. companies on behalf of the restricted entities in Pakistan.

“As alleged, Siddiqui and his co-conspirators worked to conceal the true end-users of the goods from U.S. companies, often using front companies and transshipping goods through third countries to evade detection.”

The court charged Siddiqui with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Export Control Reform Act, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison; and violating the Export Control Reform Act, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison.

The justice department said that a federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.