April 7, 2014
Publication:
El Pais
Related Country:
- Spain
Spain's Civil Guard arrested four individuals on charges of attempting to export dual-use industrial machinery to Iran. Three of the suspects are Spanish nationals from the same family, while the fourth is an Iranian. Spanish authorities began their investigation after learning that two Leifeld metalworking machines had been illegally brought into Spain from the United Kingdom. The equipment has civilian applications but can also be used to manufacture missile casings or parts for uranium enrichment. The suspects are believed to have sent engineering plans to Iran using an elaborate network of front companies.