Pa. chemical engineer gets 4 years for Iran deal; consultant denied bail in NY Iran trade case

Chemical engineer gets 4 years for Iran deals

PHILADELPHIA — In one of two federal cases Monday involving illegal trade with Iran, a chemical engineer in suburban Philadelphia is being sentenced to four years in prison for trying to sell chemicals to his native country.

Prosecutors say 65-year-old Ali Amirnazmi (ah-meer-NAZ’-me) of Berwyn tried to supply chemicals to Iranian businesses. Some of the chemicals involved are used to make rocket propellants.

In a separate case in New York, a management consultant charged with violating the Iran Trade Embargo has been denied bail.

Federal Judge John Keenan ordered Mahmoud Reza Banki (MAH’-mood REEZ’-ah BAHN’-kee) held until his March trial. Prosecutors say his strong ties to Iran make him likely to flee.

He is charged with breaking money transfer laws when he and relatives transferred money to each other.