Mahmoud Yadegari sentenced in Ontario Court of Justice for offences under the NSCA

July 30, 2010

On July 29, 2010, Mahmoud Yadegari was sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice to 20 months in jail in addition to 15 1/2 months of pre-sentence custody for attempting to export nuclear-related dual-use devices that could be used to enrich uranium and make nuclear weapons to Iran. Yadegari’s arrest took place on April 16, 2009, following a joint investigation led by the RCMP and its U.S. counterparts.

This is the first conviction under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, and Mr. Yadegari was the first Canadian to be charged under the United Nations Act which prohibits sending nuclear-related devices to Iran. He was also charged under the Criminal Code, the Customs Act and the Export and Import Permits Act.

Through the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, and associated regulations, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) implements regulatory controls for the production, use, storage and movement of nuclear material in Canada.

The CNSC is the federal authority that regulates the import and export of nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed information and technology and implements a licensing and compliance process to ensure nuclear imports and exports conform to Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policy, international obligations and commitments, and regulatory requirements, under which controlled nuclear substances, material, equipment and technology transferred between Canada and other countries are to be used in only peaceful, non-explosive applications.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Read more about the CNSC’s role in regulating the import and export of nuclear substances, equipment and technology and nuclear materials verification (safeguards).

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