Local News in Brief : Wife Dropped From Arms Conspiracy Trial

Afederal judge Tuesday dismissed a conspiracy charge against the wife of a Woodland Hills businessman accused of attempting to buy millions of dollars worth of American military hardware for the Iranian army.

After the government rested its case against Hassan Kangarloo, 27, and his wife, Azedeh Zareh, 24, U. S. District Judge Stephen Wilson granted a defense request to dismiss a single conspiracy count against the woman.

Wilson ruled that secretly recorded conversations between Zareh and other individuals allegedly involved in a conspiracy were “ambiguous” but that there was enough evidence against Kangarloo to proceed with his trial.

Kangarloo, formerly of Encino, was arrested on charges of conspiracy and violating bans on exporting military equipment to Iran when he returned to the United States from England last year.

An indictment accused him of claiming to be the head of a British company when he approached several American firms to buy rockets, bombs and parts for tanks and jet planes. The Justice Department charged that deals were struck for millions of dollars in goods, but only $100,000 worth of radio components actually were shipped to Iran.

Assistant U. S. Atty. Jeffrey Modisett said prosecutors considered Kangarloo’s wife a minor participant in the conspiracy and dismissal of the charge against her would not significantly affect the prosecution’s case.