Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Golf President Battles Extradition to US for ‘selling batteries for Iran missiles’

(Helen Pidd — The Guardian)

Christopher Tappin, 63, made £320 from freight deal which he says was unlawful sting by US agents posing as exporters

A retired businessman from London is battling extradition to the US over claims he sold batteries for missiles to Iran in a deal that he says netted him £320 profit.

Christopher Tappin, 63, from Orpington, is the latest Briton to become caught up in the controversial extradition agreement with the US. He could face 35 years in jail if convicted in an American court.

At a press conference today, the Kent county golf union president insisted he was innocent and said he had been the victim of a sting carried out by US agents posing as exporters.

Tappin, who ran a freight forwarding company for 35 years, is accused of “knowingly” plotting to export five batteries for surface-to-air missiles to Tehran. Read more here.