Eight held in US over 'Russian hi-tech smuggling plot'

Gerald · 10-04-12, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Eight people have been arrested in Houston, Texas, on charges of illegally exporting hi-tech components to Russian security bodies.

Alexander Fishenko, who owns companies in Texas and Moscow, was charged with operating in the US as an unregistered agent of the Russian government.

The indictment names 11 suspects, all of whom are due in court in Houston except for three who are in Russia.

There was no immediate comment on the charges from those detained.

However, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman, Sergei Ryabkov, quoted US officials as saying the charges were "of a criminal nature".

They bore "no relation whatsoever to any intelligence-gathering activities", he told Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency.

Mr Fishenko, 46, a naturalised US citizen and owner of Houston-based company Arc Electronics Inc, was also charged with laundering money.

The US keeps strict controls on the export of cutting-edge microelectronics, which could be used in radar and surveillance systems, weapons guidance systems and detonation triggers.

A Houston FBI statement names six men and five women as suspects, ranging in age from 31 to 58.

Under US sentencing guidelines, Mr Fishenko faces more than 12 years in prison if convicted on all of the charges.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19826851

Note: 4 October 2012 Last updated at 10:46 GMT

eddie · 10-04-12, 11:58 AM

Glad they caught them!

Gerald · 10-04-12, 12:07 PM

Maybe it was "on time", like this operation always takes time to unravel, much to work so they here the law is made, become as efficient as possible and waterproof.

Gerald · 10-05-12, 08:16 AM

Russian Agent and 10 Other Members of Procurement Network for Russian Military and Intelligence Operating in the U.S. and Russia Indicted in New York.

http://www.fbi.gov/houston/press-rel...ed-in-new-york

geetrue · 10-05-12, 12:58 PM

This is bigger than it looks ... like the border wars say they only catch 10% of the illegals crossing.

I wonder what it is on spies???

Right there in Neal's back yard too

Gerald · 10-05-12, 01:06 PM

^Do you think we can get a statement by Neal,

Jimbuna · 10-06-12, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geetrue

This is bigger than it looks ... like the border wars say they only catch 10% of the illegals crossing.

I wonder what it is on spies???

Right there in Neal's back yard too

Anyone seen or heard from Neal lately?

10-04-12, 11:58 AM	#2
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	Glad they caught them! __________________ Don't mistake my kindness for weakness. I'm kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me. Al Capone

10-04-12, 12:07 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Maybe it was "on time", like this operation always takes time to unravel, much to work so they here the law is made, become as efficient as possible and waterproof. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-05-12, 08:16 AM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Russian Agent and 10 Other Members of Procurement Network for Russian Military and Intelligence Operating in the U.S. and Russia Indicted in New York. http://www.fbi.gov/houston/press-rel...ed-in-new-york __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-05-12, 12:58 PM	#5
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	This is bigger than it looks ... like the border wars say they only catch 10% of the illegals crossing. I wonder what it is on spies??? Right there in Neal's back yard too __________________

10-05-12, 01:06 PM	#6
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	^Do you think we can get a statement by Neal, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie