Oleg Chistyakov, aged 55, who had been extradited from Latvia, appeared in federal court in Kansas City. The US Department of Justice announced.
Chistyakov is the third defendant in the case of conspiracy to sell sanctioned aviation equipment to Russian companies after 24 February 2022. According to court documents, he allegedly conspired with US citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky and Douglas Edward Robertson to facilitate the sale, repair, and shipment of American-made avionics to customers in Russia and other countries operating Russian-made aircraft, including the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
Buyanovsky was charged and arrested in March 2019, and both pleaded guilty. He is due to be sentenced on 14 November, and Robertson is due on 3 October.
Allegedly, Chistyakov worked from Latvia and through his Emirati company, RosAero FZC, to collaborate with Buyanovsky and Robertson’s American company, KanRus Trading Company Inc., (KanRus), to circumvent US export laws. He allegedly tried to hide his illegal activities by creating fake invoices and shipping goods through third countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates. Using bank accounts in third countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE, they tried to launder money. Chistyakov is accused of conspiring, violating the law on export control reform, smuggling, and money laundering. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine up to $1 million.
