Two Dallas-area businessmen arrested in connection with plot to export computers to Iran

Two Addison-based businessmen were arrested Thursday in connection with a group exporting $12 million worth of computers from the United States to Iran.

Earlier this week, the two men, Borna Faizy of Frisco and Touraj Ghavidel of Plano, were indicted and pleaded not guilty yesterday to accusations that they shipped computer equipment to Iran through Dubai, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Texas.

According to the indictment, the two who own Signal Microsystems in Addison acquired computers from the United States and conspired to send them through Dubai to their final destination, Iran from 2005 to January 2012.

"They allegedly evaded regulations...of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations," according to the press release,  which prohibits the sale and supply of goods to Iran from the United States without permission from the Secretary of the Treasury.

Faizy, 42, and Ghavidel, 44, allegedly went to a computer trade show in Dubai and recruited Iranian customers there several years ago. They then, according to the indictment, used fake names, false invoice information and export forms, several co-conspirators and code language to carry out the operation.

Both men are charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally export to Iran and nine counts of illegal export and and attempted export of goods to Iran, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. They also face one count of making false statements to a federal agency, punishable by up to five years in prison. Each count is also punishable by up to $250,000.