Dutch Citizen Charged with Shipping U.S. Aviation Parts to Iran

ABC News’ Jack Date Reports: A Dutch aviation parts dealer was charged with illegally trying to send sophisticated electronics equipment and aircraft components from the U.S. to Iran, according to documents unsealed in federal court Monday in Washington, D.C. 

Robert Kraaipoel, of the Netherlands, allegedly obtained more than 290 items, including parachutes, aircraft parts, and industrial chemicals from the U.S. and shipped them to Iran in 2006.

The items were sent to Iranian companies including Iran Aircraft Industries, Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Co., Heavy Metal Industries and Iran Aircraft Mfg., all based in Tehran.

According to the criminal complaint, Kraaipoel also tried to ship additional aircraft parts to Iran in 2007, including aerospace grade aluminum sheets and rods, airspeed indicators, turn and bank indicators, bearing controls, rotor and vibration gear, navigation equipment and polymide film, which can be to insulate wires in military applications.

Video transmission, which could possibly be used in unmanned air vehicles, were also allegedly shipped to Iran, though Kraaipoel falsely claimed, according to the criminal complaint, the equipment was destined for the Polish Border Control Agency.  After meeting with a Polish border official, FBI investigators determined the Polish Border Guards would have no need for such equipment because they did not have unmanned air vehicles, according to the complaint.

Kraaipole has not been arrested and is believed to be in the Netherlands, according to a Justice Department official.