Gal Haimovich Pleads Guilty to Illegal Exports to Russia

Gal Haimovich, a 49-year-old Israeli businessman, pleaded guilty in a US court to charges of illegally exporting aircraft parts and avionics to Russia, violating sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He orchestrated over 160 shipments between March 2022 and May 2023, routing goods through third-party countries like the Maldives and UAE to disguise their destination. Haimovich misled American companies about the ultimate buyers, including Siberia Airlines, and falsified export documentation, leading to his billing of over $2 million for these illicit transactions. His actions were part of a broader scheme that undermined US export control laws during heightened geopolitical tensions. Haimovich faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for November 22, 2024. The case is handled by the US Justice Department's KleptoCapture task force, established to enforce sanctions against Russia.