Russian Arms Dealer's Alleged Associate Draws 5-year Sentence

A U.S.-Syrian citizen was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday for conspiring with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to buy aircraft in violation of sanctions imposed on them by the U.S. government. Richard Chichakli, 55, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge William Pauley in New York to pay $1.77 million in forfeitures and restitution after a jury last year found him guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud charges. He faced up to nine years in prison under federal sentencing...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - jeudi 4 décembre 2014