Israeli Charged With Selling Chemical Weapons Parts to Iran
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TEL AVIV — An Israeli millionaire was indicted Monday on charges of assisting an enemy nation and endangering Israeli security by selling chemical weapons components to Iran.
According to the indictment in Tel Aviv District Court, Nahum Manbar received $16 million for selling chemical materials to Iran that were used to make mustard and nerve gas.
If found guilty, Manbar could be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Goraly said Manbar was warned repeatedly by Israeli intelligence officials not to do business with Iran.
Manbar first appeared in court in mid-April, 20 days after being detained on his return to Israel from his home in France and held incommunicado.
In 1994, the State Department accused Manbar of violating a U.S. trade embargo against Iran and barred him from entering the United States, Israeli media reports said.
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