The U.S. Accuses a Chinese Citizen of Conspiring to 'Send Weaponry Materials' to Iran

The U.S. has sanctioned an employee of a Chinese company for providing 'isostatic graphite' to Iran, a material used in the production of ballistic missiles. Jiang Jiang Qiao, known as Joe Hansen, has been accused of evading sanctions, money laundering, and bank fraud. Primarily based in China, he allegedly used a sanctioned Chinese company to supply materials used in the construction of weapons of mass destruction to Iran in exchange for payments received through the U.S. financial system. The Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. stated that these efforts demonstrate the Justice Department's commitment to preventing sensitive technology from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries, including Russia, China, and Iran. He added that the U.S. will not tolerate those who violate its laws and allow authoritarian regimes and other hostile countries to use advanced technology to threaten U.S. national security and undermine democratic values worldwide. This 39-year-old Chinese national is an employee of a China-based company called 'Sinotech Dailing.' He has been charged with violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and this company. Among the charges are two counts of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, two counts of bank fraud, each with a maximum penalty of 30 years, and two counts of money laundering, each with a maximum penalty of 20 years. The charges listed in the indictment are merely allegations, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The maximum legal penalties are determined by Congress, and any punishment for the accused will be determined by a judge. This Chinese national is currently in China and has not been arrested.