JERUSALEM (JTA) — Two Israeli arms dealers reportedly have been arrested for trying to sell spare parts for F-4 Phantom jets to Iran.
Avichai Weinstein and Eli Cohen, owners of R.S.P. Rebuilt Spare Parts, reportedly were arrested after two shipments of spare F-4 Phantom jets parts were discovered by Greek officials working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Israel’s Channel 2 is reporting.
Cohen has tried to sell parts and guidance systems for anti-aircraft missiles to Iran in the past, according to Channel 2.
The case came to light earlier this week when a Greek newspaper reported that Greek authorities had intercepted two shipments.
According to the investigation report obtained by the Greek daily Kathimerini, the shipments originated in the Israeli town of Binyamina-Givat Ada and were sent via a Greek company based in Athens. Investigators from Greece’s Financial Crimes Squad determined the company was a ghost company, Kathimerini reported. The firm was registered by a British national from the northern city of Thessaloniki who could not be traced.
Previous attempts to violate the international embargo against Iran were carried out through the United States, Germany, Thailand and Portugal, according to Channel 2.
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