Fifty-three-year-old Nader Modanlo was sentenced yesterday by a federal judge. His attorney had recommended he spend less than 27 months in prison, while prosecutors were asking for approximately 16 to 20 years.
A jury found Modanlo guilty of violating a US trade embargo against Iran by brokering a deal to help the country launch an Earth-observation satellite from Russia in 2005.
The launch of the Sina-1 satellite marked the practical beginning of Iran's space program after decades of aspirations. Prosecutors said Modanlo was paid USD 10 million for his assistance.