Iranian national arrested in Vienna on November 30, 2004 and accused by the Austrian Federal Agency for State Protection and Counter Terrorism of attempting to violate Austrian export control laws; Shahrzad Mir Gholikhan, allegedly Seif’s former wife, was also arrested in connection with this attempted transaction; allegedly planned to illegally export 3,000 helmet-mounted, Generation III military night vision systems from the United States through another country to Iran; allegedly indicated that the units were for the Iranian military, and noted direct contacts with the Iranian government; the systems are classified as U.S. Munitions List items and cannot be lawfully exported from the United States without the appropriate export license from the U.S. Department of State.
Reportedly pled guilty in Austria to one charge of trading defense articles without a license, penalized by 28 days in prison and a fine, and reportedly returned to Iran, where U.S. authorities think Seif remains at large; on February 25, 2005, the United States issued a warrant for his arrest, charging him with conspiring to commit export violations.
Additional parties implicated in the case include Hamid Reza Kargar, Ms. Shirin Shahrabi, a Mr. Shahkani, Noor Al Fath General Trading Company (allegedly founded and owned by Seif, in Dubai, UAE, selling to the Iranian police and military), and Farideh Fahimi (allegedly an employee of Noor al Fath in Tehran).
Allegedly the founder and owner of Tehran Nara Company, which trades in general goods and deals with office machines; reportedly a former military officer and Iranian Revolutionary Guard; date of birth June 5, 1969.
Soure: / Iranwatch /