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US suspends export licenses of two companies for supplies of microchips to Russia

Last week, the US police arrested Pavel Flider one of the owners of the two companies

© EPA/JIM HOLLANDER

LOS-ANGELES, March 26. /TASS/. The US Department of Commerce has suspended for 180 days export licenses of Trident International corporation and Flider Electronics after their owner was accused of illegal exports of double-use microchips to Russia, according to a statement published by the Federal Register of the US government.

Last week, the US police arrested Pavel Flider one of the owners of the two companies. He was charged with illegally exports of computer components including dual-use microchips through third countries to Russia. Flider has dual citizenship of Russia and the US and is registered in the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco.

According to Attorney for the Northern District of California Melinda Haag, the businessman is facing charges of smuggling and money laundering.

If the 65-year-old Flider is found guilty, he faces a long-term jail sentence and a multimillion-dollar fine.

According to the prosecution, for their illegal supplies Flider’s companies received $60 mln through the banks of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus and Hong Kong.

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