A 57-year-old Indian man, Sanjay Kaushik, is facing serious charges in the United States after being indicted by the Department of Justice for his alleged role in a conspiracy to illegally export sensitive aviation components to Russia. The indictment, announced jointly by the Justice Department’s National Security Division, the Department of Commerce, and the US Attorney for the District of Oregon, details a complex scheme that allegedly violated the Export Control Reform Act.
Kaushik, arrested in Miami, Florida on October 17th following a criminal complaint and warrant issued by the District of Oregon, is accused of orchestrating the procurement and export of technology with both civilian and military applications. The alleged conspiracy, which began in March 2022 amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, involved obtaining aerospace goods and technology from US suppliers under false pretenses. Prosecutors allege Kaushik and his co-conspirators falsely claimed the goods were destined for Kaushik’s Indian company, while the true end-user was Russia.
One key piece of allegedly illicitly exported technology was an Altitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), a crucial component for aircraft navigation and flight control, obtained from an Oregon supplier. The export of such components to restricted countries like Russia is strictly prohibited under the Export Control Reform Act, administered by the Department of Commerce. This prohibition underscores the gravity of the alleged offenses, highlighting the potential national security implications of such actions.
The indictment paints a picture of a deliberate effort to circumvent US export controls. The alleged plan involved deception and the exploitation of loopholes to acquire and export technology that could significantly enhance Russia’s military capabilities. If convicted, Kaushik could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years, a stark reminder of the severe consequences of violating US export laws. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, according to US Sentencing Guidelines.
The case is being investigated as part of the KleptoCapture task force, established on March 2, 2022, to enforce sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The announcement of the indictment by Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod, and US Attorney Natalie K. Wight underscores the seriousness with which the US government is pursuing such cases, sending a clear message that attempts to circumvent export controls will be met with swift and decisive action. The investigation continues, with further ramifications potentially unfolding as the case proceeds through the legal system.
