US charges Indian man for allegedly exporting aviation goods to Russia, could face up to 20 years in prison

The United States justice department has charged an Indian man for conspiring to export controlled aviation components to Russian entities as he violated the Export Control Reform Act.

Sanjay Kaushik, a 57-year-old Indian man is also charged with attempting to illegally export a navigation and flight control system from the US state of Oregon to Russia through India.

According to the justice department's statement, the charges included Kaushik also making false statements in connection with an export.

Kaushik was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17 pursuant to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant issued by the District of Oregon.

Kaushik began conspiring with others to unlawfully obtain aerospace goods and technology from the US for entities in Russia, and all this started as early as March 2023, over a year after Moscowlaunched itsfull-scale invasion of Ukraine, the statement read.

"The goods were purchased under the false pretense that they would be supplied to Kaushik and his Indian company, when in fact they were destined for Russian end users," it added.

'20 years in prison'

Kaushik could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to $1 million for each count in the indictment if he gets convicted.

Watch |Indian National Charged In US For Attempting To Export Aviation Items To Russia

After considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence.

Assistant US Attorney GregoryRNyhus for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorneys Joshua EKurland and Dallas JKaplan of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

(With inputs from agencies)