AP, Berlin, 26 Nov 2012 – German authorities say they have arrested a businessman suspected of violating restrictions on exports to Iran by supplying equipment typically used in satellite technology to the country.
Prosecutors in the southwestern city of Mannheim said Monday the 54-year-old, a German-Iranian dual citizen, is accused of supplying companies in Iran with equipment such as magnetometers and solar cells from April 2010 to this month.
They say he’s believed to have circumvented export restrictions by claiming the equipment was destined for a company in Turkey.
The European Union and United States have imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. Tehran denies that it is trying to make a nuclear weapon.
Prosecutors said in a statement the arrest took place Friday.
In keeping with German privacy rules, they didn’t name the suspect.