Probation in Iran Export Case

A West German man who pleaded guilty to conspiring to export radar navigation systems to Iran in violation of a U. S. embargo was placed on five years’ probation Tuesday.

Bernd Pleuger, 51, of Augsburg received no jail time or fine from U. S. District Judge Earl Gilliam.

Assistant U. S. Atty. Phil Halpern said Pleuger’s role in the scheme was “secondary,” and he recommended that Pleuger be given probation.

Halpern declined to say whether Pleuger was assisting the U. S. government in prosecution of others in the scheme.

Pleuger formerly worked for Beechcraft Vertrieb und Service in Munich as the managing director. The owner of that company, Hans Schneider, 57, is a fugitive. Schneider is charged with illegal exportation of defense articles, making false statements and conspiracy.

A second employee, Jurgen Zimmermann, 37, also of Augsburg, will be sentenced April 17.

Pleuger and Zimmermann obtained State Department export licenses for the navigational components by submitting phony documents, Halpern said. The information falsely indicated that the components were to be installed on helicopters in West Germany, but in fact were shipped to Iran.

An undercover customs investigation began with the help of Teledyne Ryan Electronics, based in San Diego.

Pleuger and Zimmermann were arrested in 1986 and pleaded guilty to various charges on Nov. 19, 1986.