Israeli person pleads guilty to violating US export restrictions on Russia

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - An Israeli individual has pleaded guilty to violating the US export restrictions imposed on Russia, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Gal Haimovich, a freight forwarder, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export control and smuggling violations for his role in a scheme to illegally ship aircraft parts and avionics from American manufacturers and suppliers to Russia, it said Tuesday.

Haimovich, 49, admitted that his scheme involved deceiving American companies about the true destination of the goods at issue, while the defendant and others attempted to conceal the scheme by submitting false information in export documents filed with the US government.

The Justice Department said Haimovich owned an international freight forwarding company, and through those companies he operated as a freight forwarder of choice for individuals and entities seeking to illegally export goods to Russia in violation of US export control laws.

He facilitated the export of aircraft parts and avionics between at least March 2022 and May 2023, including those with missile technology applications, from southern Florida to various third-party transhippers on behalf of Russian customers.

"These Russian end customers routinely instructed Haimovich to deceive the U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers about the ultimate destination of the goods," said the statement.

A sentencing hearing for Haimovich has been set for Nov. 22.