An Iranian in the UAE Sentenced to 10 Years for 'Violation of Sanctions'

A court in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, April 25, sentenced an Iranian national to 10 years in prison for 'violating sanctions' against the Islamic Republic. According to AFP, the individual's crime was attempting to 'send a generator to Iran for use in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.' The court in Abu Dhabi handled the case. The convict's name has only been abbreviated as 'S. M. A. R.' Reports did not mention when the crime or the arrest occurred. According to the court's ruling, this individual will be deported from the UAE after serving their prison sentence. Iran has faced unprecedented international sanctions for years due to its insistence on its nuclear program, which were significantly reduced with the Vienna nuclear agreement. Gulf Arab states are also deeply concerned about Iran's 'influence and interference' in these countries. Over the past years, these countries have tried and convicted dozens of individuals on charges such as connections with the Islamic Republic to create unrest. In addition, several Iranian citizens, dual nationals, or non-Iranians have been tried in various countries for attempting to violate Iran's sanctions. Among them was Ahmad Sheikhzadeh, an advisor to Iran's UN delegation, who was tried in April 2016 for sanctions violations, money laundering, and tax issues in Brooklyn, New York. In December of the same year, an American citizen was accused of violating these sanctions and money laundering. He was accused of attempting, along with another American and three Iranians, to illegally transfer about one billion dollars of Iran's assets from South Korean banks. Previously, an Iranian businessman was also arrested in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, for violating Iran's sanctions law.