Two men in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania have agreed to plead guilty to charges of illegally selling banned technology to Middle Eastern countries.
Harold Rinko conspired to export banned laboratory equipment, including equipment used to detect chemical weapons, to Syria, U.S. federal prosecutors said on April 23.
In a second case, Helmut Oertmann confessed to conspiring to ship a high-tech lathe used to manufacture automobile and aircraft components to Iran.
All items involved in the cases are considered "dual-use" items with both civilian and military applications. The United States requires that to export such items to Syria or Iran requires a license.
Rinko faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Oertmann faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, Oertmann's company, Hetran Inc., could be fined up to $1 million.
Harold Rinko conspired to export banned laboratory equipment, including equipment used to detect chemical weapons, to Syria, U.S. federal prosecutors said on April 23.
In a second case, Helmut Oertmann confessed to conspiring to ship a high-tech lathe used to manufacture automobile and aircraft components to Iran.
All items involved in the cases are considered "dual-use" items with both civilian and military applications. The United States requires that to export such items to Syria or Iran requires a license.
Rinko faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Oertmann faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, Oertmann's company, Hetran Inc., could be fined up to $1 million.