A Maryland man and five Iranian citizens are accused of conspiring to sell satellite hardware and technology to Iran in violation of the U.S. trade embargo.
The $10 million scheme resulted in the launch of an Iranian-owned satellite from Russia in 2005, according to federal prosecutors.
Nader Modanlo, 49, of Potomac, and his conspirators brokered an agreement between a Russian-owned company and a customer in Iran to build and launch satellites and a ground station, prosecutors said. The six men are accused of setting up shell companies that concealed Iranian involvement in the transactions.
Modanlo is an American citizen who was born in Iran. He was arrested Tuesday morning. His five Iranian conspirators remain at large.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
