Patrick Mcmahon
In a release published just hours ago, the Department of Justice announced the indictment of Rasheed Al Jijakli, a naturalized American, on charges that he smuggled “rifle scopes, laser boresighters, flashlights, bulletproof vests, and other tactical equipment” to Syria.
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He is reportedly the CEO of a check-cashing business in Orange County, California.
The Department of Justice does not state which Syrian groups were the intended recipients.
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Al Jijakli is alleged to have worked with three others to transport the items by hand. Starting in Istanbul, Turkey, the group is said to have purchased and carried the items — which are forbidden for export to Syria under American law — over the border.
The Department of Justice statement clarifies that Al Jijakli has been charged with violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA):
In accordance with [IEEPA] authority, the President issued an executive order that included broad restrictions on exports to Syria. The U.S. Department of Commerce subsequently issued corresponding regulations restricting exports to Syria of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations.
Al Jijakli also faces charges of conspiracy to commit those violations and smuggling, three counts in total.
If convicted on all counts, he could see a maximum sentence of fifty years in prison.
