Russian citizen detained in U.S. for breaching export control law

WASHINGTON. Sept 17 (Interfax) - U.S. law enforcement agencies have detained Russian citizen Denis Postovoy accused of illegally exporting dual-use microelectronic components to Russia, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.

"Denis Postovoy, a Russian citizen living in the United States, [charged] with conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act, commit smuggling, commit money laundering and defraud the United States. [Homeland Security Investigations] HSI arrested Postovoy this morning in Sarasota, Florida," it said.

Beginning in at least February 2022, Postovoy, acting through a network of companies that he owns or operates in Russia, Hong Kong and elsewhere, purchased dual-use microelectronic components and illegally exported them from the U.S. to Russia without the licenses required for that, the statement said.

"The exported microelectronics can be used in UAVs or drones," it said.

A court hearing to decide whether to remand Postovoy in custody has been set for September 19.

The Russian embassy to the U.S., for its part, said that it is aware of the Russian citizen's detention but has not yet been officially notified by the U.S. authorities.

The embassy also has asked the U.S. Department of State to provide information on Postovoy's whereabouts, it said.