27 March 2006

BERLIN - Police searched business premises across Germany in connection with an investigation into the illegal export of equipment for Iran's controversial nuclear programme, prosecutors said Monday.

One of the companies searched was believed to be a front for the illegal export of hydraulic pumps and transformer parts, which could be used in nuclear facilities, prosecutor Benedikt Welfens said.

German law restricts the sale to Iran of such dual use equipment, which has applications in both military and civilian programmes.

Seven persons, most of them of Russian extraction, are under investigation in connection with the illegal exports, which investigations showed reached Iran via Russia.

Police seized data, a special cable ready for export and cash during last week's raid of 41 premises in 10 German states.

Prosecutors said five or six firms were suspected of having supplied the front company with material, but only one is believed to have known the true destination.

No arrests have been made so far in the case.

DPA

Subject: German news