A jailed pensioner who trafficked fighter jet parts to Iran in shipments he claimed were goggles, wheelbarrows and gloves, has been ordered to pay back £700,000.
Retired company boss Alexander George, 80, of Long Ashton, Bristol, was jailed in 2018 for shipping military items to Iran, including MiG 29 and US F4 Phantom parts, following an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation. George, who employed the help of others and their businesses to move the parts through countries that included Malaysia and Dubai, made more than £5 million from an operation which violated Weapons of Mass Destruction controls.
At a confiscation hearing on June 8, 2022 at Southwark Crown Court, George, who was absent due to ill health, was ordered to pay £700,000 within three months or face a further three months in prison. If he fails to pay back the money he will be jailed and will still owe the amount when released.
