Richard Ammar Chichakli, Money Laundering, Wire Fraud, Conspiracy, New York 2023

Money Laundering and Wire Fraud Charges Land Richard Ammar Chichakli Behind Bars

Richard Ammar Chichakli, a notorious associate of international arms dealer Viktor Bout, has been arrested in Australia on charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy. The arrest was made at the request of the US authorities.

According to the indictment, Chichakli conspired with Bout and others to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by attempting to purchase two aircraft from US-based companies, in violation of economic sanctions. Chichakli is also charged with money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and six separate counts of wire fraud.

Bout, who is currently serving a 25-year prison term for conspiring to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), a designated foreign terrorist organization based in Colombia, has a long history of international weapons trafficking. His network of aircraft companies has been involved in fueling conflicts in various parts of the world, including Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Chichakli, a citizen of Syria and the US, has been a close associate of Bout's since at least the mid-1990s, assisting in the operations and financial management of his network of aircraft companies. As a result of Bout's role in pouring arms into international conflicts, his relationship with Chichakli, and their close relationship with former Liberian President Charles Taylor, both Bout and Chichakli have been the subject of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions restricting their travel and business activities.

The US authorities have been working closely with international law enforcement partners to bring Chichakli to justice. The arrest highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating global crime.

The exact date of Chichakli's arrest was not specified. He is currently being held in Australian custody pending extradition to the US to face the charges against him.

Richard Ammar Chichakli, 63, is a citizen of Syria and the US.

The charges against Chichakli include:

• Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
• Money laundering conspiracy
• Wire fraud conspiracy
• Six separate counts of wire fraud

Chichakli is expected to face trial in the US court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and up to 10 years for the conspiracy charges.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhhattan-us-attorney-announces-arrest-richard-ammar-chichakli-money-laundering-wire