A Russian national, Ilya Balakaev, was indicted by federal prosecutors on Friday for allegedly smuggling sensitive US technology to Russia and North Korea.
According to court documents, Balakaev’s US company Radiotester LLC had contracts with the FSB, Russia’s intelligence and security agency, to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators.
These devices were used for counterintelligence operations, to detect surveillance bugs and transmit covert communications. Prosecutors claimed that in 2017, Balakaev established a network of individuals in the US to purchase equipment to repair these devices, violating US sanctions, while working with Kremlin officials responsible for Russia’s communication security and cryptology.
Balakaev also allegedly provided US technology to a North Korean government official, violating US sanctions against North Korea. Balakaev, who resides in Moscow, had at least 10 contracts with the FSB military unit and purchased 43 devices in the US, traveling between Moscow and the US about 14 times over approximately four years.
“Today’s indictment demonstrates our Office’s commitment to vigorously prosecute those who evade sanctions for a profit, both for their wallet and for Russia as they continue their aggression against Ukraine,” said US Attorney for the Eastern District, Breon Peace.
↯↯↯Read More On The Topic On TDPel Media ↯↯↯