Russian-German National Extradited to US to Face Export Control Violation Charges

Russian-German national Arthur Petrov was extradited to the U.S., making his initial appearance in court Aug. 9 for allegedly committing export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering, DOJ announced. Extradited from Cyprus, Petrov was charged for his part in a scheme to ship more than $225,000 worth of U.S.-sourced microelectronics to companies supplying weapons to the Russian military.

The Bureau of Industry and Security imposed a temporary denial order against Petrov in August 2023, the same day DOJ unsealed its indictment (see 2309010020). The TDO blocks Petrov and others named in the order from participating in transactions subject to the Export Administration Regulations.

Petrov worked for Russia-based critical electronics components supplier LLC Electrocom VPK, a company that supplies "weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military," DOJ said. Along with two co-conspirators, Petrov allegedly established an "illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas," where they procured "large quantities" of export-controlled microelectronics in the U.S.

The conspirators used shell companies, including Cyprus-based firm Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD, to hide that the goods were destined for Russian end users, DOJ said. Petrov said the goods were intended for fire security systems, among other uses, and that the ultimate end-users were based in Cyprus or other third countries. Petrov allegedly transshipped the items via "pass-through entities" operated by the two co-conspirators in third countries.

Petrov was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, three counts of violating the Act, one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S., three counts of smuggling, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.