Belarus' diplomatic courier smuggled military equipment from US
A court in Western Pennsylvania is expected on September 6 to pronounce a sentence to Belarus citizen Siarhei Baltutski.
According to Voice of America, the Belarus national is accused of running a criminal ring involved in illegal arms trade. The group included Yahor Yasin, Alyaksandr Belski, Vital Tsishuk, Alyaksandr Stashynski, Volha Dubouskaya, Ernest Charnaletski, George Tsaryk.
Baltutski also cooperated with two persons who live in Belarus: Raman Yaseu and a diplomatic courier known under the nickname 'A.S.' who "works for the Belarusian government." The aim of the conspiracy was allegedly to transport illegally high-tech military equipment, that is banned from leaving the United States soil, to Belarus.
The equipment included sights for automatic rifles, imaging IR systems, night vision devices, according to the US court's memorandum.
Balsutski and his group bought the equipment worth more than $700 thousand. The sum is not precise, since many parcels with unknown contents were dispatched from the U.S. territory unchecked in the diplomatic mail .
The ring leader periodically exchanged e-mails with the diplomatic courier to discuss purchases of the military equipment. The diplomatic courier transported it from New York via the diplomatic mail.
Siarhei Baltutski admitted guilt. He faces up to 135 months in prison.
Photo: golos-ameriki.ru
