Vladimir Kuznetsov Denied Export Privileges by U.S. Government Until 2034
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On April 30, 2024, Vladimir Kuznetsov was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He was found guilty of violating Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act. This law can be found at 22 U.S.C. 2778.
Kuznetsov was found to have exported and tried to export rifle parts and accessories from the United States to Russia. He did this without the needed U.S. government license. The items included one Accuracy International AICS AX MK II rifle chassis, an H-S Precision aluminum rifle stock, a Kinetic Research Group savage 180-Alpha rifle chassis, a Dakota bolt shroud, a Timney Sportsman trigger assembly, many firearm magazines, and other firearms accessories. These are all listed as defense articles on the United States Munitions List.
Because of his conviction, Kuznetsov was sentenced to 46 months in prison. He will also have two years of supervised release after prison.
Under the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) can deny a person’s export privileges for up to 10 years if they are convicted of crimes like violating Section 38 of the AECA. This is found at 50 U.S.C. 4819(e). The BIS also has the power to cancel any export licenses that the convicted person held.
BIS learned of Kuznetsov’s conviction and gave him a chance to send a written statement. As allowed by the Export Administration Regulations, found at 15 CFR 766.25, Kuznetsov could have replied. But he did not send any response to BIS.
After reviewing the case, the Acting Director of the Office of Export Enforcement, Steven Fisher, decided to deny Kuznetsov’s export privileges for 10 years from the date of his conviction. The Office of Exporter Services also decided to cancel any export licenses linked to Kuznetsov.
The order means that Vladimir Kuznetsov cannot participate in any export activities under U.S. regulations until April 30, 2034. This ban applies to him directly or through anyone acting for him. He cannot apply for export licenses, buy, sell, transport, or use any U.S. export items. He also cannot benefit from any activity involving items regulated by U.S. export laws.
No person may export, reexport, or transfer items controlled under these rules to or for Kuznetsov. No one can help Kuznetsov get control or ownership of those items. No one may take any action to get items from Kuznetsov that are subject to U.S. export laws, or help him get those items.
Any person, firm, or company related to Kuznetsov by ownership, control, or business ties may also be subject to this order, if needed, to stop any plan to avoid the order.
Kuznetsov can appeal this order. He must file his appeal with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security within 45 days. He must follow the rules in Part 756 of the Export Administration Regulations.
A copy of the order will be given to Kuznetsov and published in the Federal Register. The order is effective immediately and will last until April 30, 2034.
Steven Fisher, Acting Director of the Office of Export Enforcement, signed the order.
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