3 years for Md. man in nuclear-linked export case

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hbxTl59Rma6AghWuRfkx9K8_Riww?docId=55b54285850a45548dfe4044fb61657c

3 years for Md. man in nuclear-linked export case

By DOUGLAS BIRCH, Associated Press – 17 hours ago

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland businessman was sentenced Friday to more than three years in prison for conspiring to export to Pakistan materials and equipment that can be used in nuclear reactors and defrauding the United States.

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Akhtar admitted evading export regulations by using Computer Communications USA to buy, or try to buy, radiation detection devices, resins for coolant water purification, calibration and switching equipment, attenuators and surface refinishing abrasives.

According to his plea agreement, Akhtar acted on the orders of the owner of a Karachi trading company, who received orders from organizations or individuals in the Pakistani government. The Karachi trader told Akhtar what to buy and how to conceal the products' nature and intended end-user, the plea said, then usually paid Akhtar a commission of 5 percent to 7.5 percent.

His customers included Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Chinese-built Chashma Nuclear Power Plant I, both subject to U.S. export restrictions, according to the Justice Department.

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