New York Couple Charged with Violating Sanctions and Exporting Technology to Russia
Brooklyn Man and Montreal Couple Arrested
A Brooklyn man and a Montreal couple have been charged in New York for their involvement in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions by exporting technology to Russia. The technology, including electronics supporting the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, was worth millions of dollars. Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, Nikolay Goltsev, and Kristina Puzyreva have been charged with smuggling, conspiracy to violate sanctions, and wire fraud conspiracy.
Arrests and Seized Property
Nasriddinov, a Russian-Tajikistan national, was arrested in Brooklyn, and authorities recovered thousands of semiconductors and other electronics from his home. Goltsev and Puzyreva, who are married Russian-Canadian nationals, were arrested at a Manhattan hotel during a visit to Nasriddinov. Prosecutors also seized over $1.1 million from domestic bank accounts associated with the scheme. During the arrests, approximately $20,000 in cash was recovered from Goltsev and Puzyreva.
Detention and Potential Penalties
Each defendant has been ordered to be detained following their initial appearances in Brooklyn federal court. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn is seeking their detention, stating that they could face several years in prison and pose a “serious flight risk” due to their significant foreign ties. The defendants have not entered a plea at this time.
Task Force KleptoCapture
The case is part of the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Task Force KleptoCapture, which was established to enforce sanctions, export restrictions, and other measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Illegal Shipments and Recovery
The scheme, orchestrated by Brooklyn-based companies SH Brothers and SN Electronics, began in January 2022. The companies arranged shipments of electronic components and integrated circuits after purchasing the equipment from U.S. companies. Authorities have identified over 300 illegal shipments valued at approximately $10 million. Some of the electronics were later recovered from Russian equipment, including helicopters, missiles, and tanks seized in Ukraine.
Awareness of Military Use
The defendants were aware that the electronics they exported had military uses. Messages exchanged between them revealed their knowledge and intent. In one message, Nasriddinov referred to Goltsev as a “Happy Defender of the Fatherland,” to which Goltsev replied with a smile emoji, stating that they were defending the fatherland in their own way. Another message mentioned Goltsev’s fingers hurting from typing account activity on his laptop, prompting Puzyreva to respond with enthusiasm about getting rich.
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