Federal jury acquits Utah man of Iran trade embargo
charges
May 21, 2000, PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A federal jury has acquitted a Utah
man of charges that he tried to break the Clinton administration trade
embargo with Iran by helping his brother export computer equipment.
Hamid Janversan had been indicted on conspiracy and banking charges
last July involving Microtek International Development Systems.
The suburban Hillsboro company makes devices that mimic the operation
of computer chips, but at slower speeds, so operators can troubleshoot
problems.
The company's president, Joe-Pin Ouyang, has pleaded guilty for his
role and faces several months in prison and a fine at his sentencing in
June.
Prosecutors said Ouyang began negotiations with a defense contractor
in Tehran, Iran , in 1997, with help from Hamid Janversan's brother, Amir
Janversan.
More than $100,000 for the computer emulators was wired from Iran through
Switzerland and Italy to a Utah bank account the Janversans shared.
Hamid Janversan, who owns an auto body shop in Salt Lake City, withdrew
the money and helped his brother communicate with Ouyang.
A defense attorney said it amounted to simple favors by one brother
for another.
"He had no clue that anything he did was in violation of the embargo,"
said Susan E. Reese, a lawyer representing Hamid Janversan.
Reese said prosecutors were after his brother, "and they couldn't
get to him, so they used my client as a scapegoat."
Amir Janversan is a fugitive and believed to still be in Iran .
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