Three deny Iran air parts sales

Three men made multi-million-pound deals illegally selling aircraft parts to Iran, a court has heard.

Prosecutors allege the men exported aircraft components to Iran between 31 December 2005 and 23 August 2007, Southwark Crown Court was told.

Mohsen Akhavan Nik, 58, and his son Mohammed, 26, of Ascot, Berkshire, and Jaitha Nitish, 43, of Croydon, south London, all deny the charges.

Sales of military equipment to Iran have been banned in the UK since 1993.

'Bogus' documents

It is also alleged the father and son used their companies Nix Aviation Ltd and Vanero Ltd to buy parts from Oxford-based Aerospace Support International, which Mr Jaitha, from Mink Walk, Croydon, south London, was a partner in.

Prosecutor Mukul Chaula QC told the jurors it was "inconceivable" that the three men were unaware they were breaking the law.

Mr Chaula said Mr Akhavan Nik, his son and their business contact Mr Jaitha were caught exporting eight liquid oxygen containers from Heathrow to Tehran in May 2006.

The three men produced "bogus" documents to show the equipment was for medical purposes, the jury heard.

The court heard police officers discovered records of the alleged deals and evidence that Mr Akhavan Nik and his son had contacts in Iran at their home in the Covert.

A licence is needed to sell military equipment to any country however the court heard that the three men had made no application for one in this case.

The jury also heard the aircraft parts were shipped abroad, often via London.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.