Los Angeles woman arrested on suspicion of helping Iran send weapons to Sudan
Los Angeles woman arrested on suspicion of helping Iran send weapons to Sudan
A 44-year-old woman from Los Angeles was taken into custody Saturday evening at the city’s international airport, accused of aiding Iran in the shipment of arms to Sudan. The country is currently enduring its fourth year of a violent conflict that has displaced millions and strained resources. Federal officials confirmed the arrest, with First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli sharing details on social media.
Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national, is alleged to have arranged the sale of “drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition” to the Sudanese Armed Forces. Essayli noted that Mafi had become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016. At the time of the arrest, her contact information was unavailable, and it remained unclear whether she had legal representation available to comment.
“Shamim Mafi will face charges that she brokered the sale of military equipment between Iran and Sudan’s armed forces,” Essayli stated in a social media post. He also shared a photo of an FBI agent guiding the woman toward a vehicle outside a terminal at LAX.
Mafi is set to appear in court on Monday in Los Angeles. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison. The ongoing war in Sudan has led to widespread displacement and food shortages, worsening the crisis for civilians in the region.
