An Iranian-Canadian Citizen Charged with Money Laundering and Sending Missile Technology to Iran

Reports indicate that Qobad Qasempoor, an Iranian-Canadian citizen currently detained in the United States, has been charged with money laundering and attempting to send missile testing technology to Iran. According to "Canadian Press," based on documents released by the court, Qobad Qasempoor, born in Iran, was arrested last week in Washington state following several years of investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The court documents show that Qobad Qasempoor is accused of being the mastermind and designer of efforts conducted with the help of his father's friends in Iran. These actions have been described as money laundering and importing prohibited equipment into Iran. The documents, which include testimony from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer, state that Mr. Qasempoor is accused of collaborating with two other men to send goods that were restricted from being transferred to Iran via China. The report adds that they were attempting to transport items such as equipment necessary for calibrating military navigation devices, including missile technology, by ship to Iran. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer stated that Mr. Qasempoor had set up several shell companies for money laundering and moving goods between countries, delegating the management of these companies to Chinese citizens. According to the report, after the seizure of a shipment containing a thin-film measurement system from one of Qobad Qasempoor's shell companies by Dutch authorities, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials became aware of his activities and began their investigations.