By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 15 – For violating Iran sanctions and money laundering, Niloufar Bahadorifar was been charged in an indictment unsealed on July 1.
On July 2, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Ronnie Abrams granted Bahadorifar pre-trial release on $250,000 Personal Recognizance Bond and no contact with known victims or witnesses except Saman Mehdizadeh.
On July 8, Judge Abrams held a proceeding with Bahadorifar appearing by video, now represented by the Federal Defenders (who brought up the seizure of her driver's license). She pleaded not guilty; the next conference was set for October 15.
On July 13, the unsealing of kidnapping conspiracy, sanctions violations conspiracy, bank and wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy charges against ALIREZA SHAVAROGHI FARAHANI, a/k/a “Vezarat Salimi,” a/k/a “Haj Ali,” MAHMOUD KHAZEIN, KIYA SADEGHI, and OMID NOORI, and sanctions violations conspiracy, bank and wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and structuring charges against NILOUFAR BAHADORIFAR. See here. It is expanding...
The indictment said Bahadorifar a/k/a Nellie "and others known and unknown would and did provide and cause others to provide services to Iran and to the Government of Iran from the US and by US persons. Since then, the US has zeroed in on Mahmoud Khazein, and the defendant's communications about international transfers of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, "in countries including Russia and China."
She is also charged with bank fraud and structuring.
This comes as the EDNY pursues a FARA violation case against Kaveh Afrasiabi, who replies that he was openly paid by Iran's Mission to the UN, through the UN Federal Credit Union.
Inner City Press, covering both cases, has asked the UN to explain these payments, but so far the UN has refused to answer or allow access.
Now on December 15, a guilty plea: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Ronnie Abrams: Change of Plea Hearing as to Niloufar Bahadorifar held on 12/15/2022. Defendant (1) Niloufar Bahadorifar present. Defendant pleads guilty to Counts Two and Five of the Superseding Indictment. A sentence is scheduled for February 7, 2023 at 10:00 a,m, Defendant shall remain on bail with existing terms to remain in effect. (Sentencing set for 2/7/2023 at 10:00 AM before Judge Ronnie Abrams) Plea entered by Niloufar Bahadorifar (1) Guilty as to Count 2s,5s."
This case is US v. Bahadorifar, 21-cr-430 (Abrams)
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