Eli Cohen, an Israeli hasidic arms dealer described as a pillar of his hasidic community was arrested Monday at Ben Gurion International Airport as he tried to flee the country to escape arrest and extradition to the US where he has been charged with selling arms to Iran.
Above: Eli Cohen, left, and Avihai Weinstein, right
Israeli Hasid Arrested For Allegedly Selling Military Equipment, Including Spare Parts For Fighter Jets, To Iran
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Eli Cohen, an Israeli hasidic arms dealer described as a pillar of his hasidic community was arrested Monday at Ben Gurion International Airport as he tried to flee the country to escape arrest and extradition to the US where he has been charged with selling arms to Iran, the Times of Israel reported.
Cohen, 64, allegedly sold arms, including spare parts for fighter jets, to Iran in violation of international sanctions.
Cohen was reportedly indicted last week in the US for illegally exporting spare parts for F-4 and F-14 combat aircraft to Iran, illegally moving military equipment out of the US, and money laundering.
This is not Cohen’s first brush with the law. He was previously convicted in the US and has served time in prison.
If convicted, Cohen faces as much as 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
In February, Israeli media reported that Cohen and his brother-in-law, Avihai Weinstein, were arrested by Israel on similar allegations.
Both men live in Kiryat Premishlan neighborhood of the haredi city of Bnei Brak and are considered key members of their community.
[Hat Tip: The Lion.]