KHIMKI, July 4. /TASS/. Moscow Region’s Khimki city court sentenced tow Chinese citizens to 5.5 and 6 years in prison for smuggling Su-27 jet fighter spare parts.
"The court ruled to sentence Zhao Xin to 5 years and 6 months in general regime colony, to sentence Li Hongliang - to 6 years in general regime colony," the judge announced.
The court amended the charges, removing the "organized group" aggravating circumstance.
According to the investigation the Chinese citizens illegally purchased a fuel distributor and intended to also smuggle a temperature sensor. In 2018, the Chinese contacted Marina Zavialova, who posted an online advertisement and was soon contacted by a man, who sold her the distributor, which she shipped to China. Later, the clients claimed that the device was broken and stated demanded a refund. They shipped the device to Moscow and travelled to Russia themselves to receive a part of what they paid.
Later, the investigators found that the Chinese ordered a capsule temperature sensor through Zavialova, who turned out to be working with the FSB. They met in a cafe in June 2019 to carry out money transfer, but were detained by the intelligence officers. They have pleaded guilty on all charges.