TORONTO - Mahmoud Yadegari, 36, today was found guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice of attempting to export nuclear-related dual-use items without first obtaining the required permits.

He was arrested on April 16, 2009 and charged with five offences under the Customs Act, the United Nations Act and the Export and Import Permits Act. On May 20, 2009, the RCMP laid an additional five charges, including failing to comply with regulations made under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and Criminal Code offences. He was found guilty of nine of the ten charges and acquitted of one count of forgery.

On March 4, 2009, Mahmoud Yadegari attempted to export controlled material to Iran. The goods, known as pressure transducers, are subject to a United Nations embargo on nuclear-related exports to Iran. They are also on Canada's Export Control List, established pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act.

The maximum penalty for each offence varies. Some are punishable both by fines of up to $500,000 and prison terms of up to 10 years. Sentencing will occur on July 29, 2010 at 9:30 am.

Mahmoud Yadegari has 30 days to decide whether he will seek to appeal this decision.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is an independent organization responsible for prosecuting cases under federal jurisdiction and for providing prosecution-related legal advice to law enforcement agencies.

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Information:

Dan Brien
PPSC Communications
613-946-3821

Media Relations
613-954-7803