American-Israeli businessman Ilya Khan faces up to 20 years in prison for organizing a scheme to export semiconductors and dual-use technology to the Russian company Elvees, which is under US sanctions for ties to the defense sector.
Ilya Khan, 66, pleaded guilty to charges that his companies, Senesis Incorporated and Sensor Design Association, were officially engaged in the development of software for security systems, but in reality were fronts for a years-long conspiracy to supply technology to Russia. According to the US Department of Justice, Khan’s company was used to supply semiconductors vital to communications systems, GPS receivers and drones that Russia is actively using in its war in Ukraine.
The technology was supplied to Russian companies via Hong Kong and mainland China, and the Justice Department estimates the scheme netted Khan’s business more than 50 million $. As part of a plea deal, Khan agreed to return ill-gotten gains. Khan faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The Ilya Khan case shows that some businessmen are trying to circumvent sanctions by using cross-border networks and shell companies. Governments continue to actively monitor illicit trade schemes, especially in the context of geopolitical conflicts.
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