Businessman Bence Horvath, 47, a Hungarian and Spanish
citizen residing in the United Arab Emirates, was sentenced to 31 months in
prison by a United States federal court after being found guilty of planning
the illegal shipment of US-origin radiocommunications technology to Russia
without the licenses required by export control authorities.
According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ),
Horvath pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, to conspiring to export restricted
goods to Russia in violation of federal laws prohibiting the transfer of
sensitive technologies to sanctioned countries. The sentence was handed down by
Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court, who also imposed three years of
supervised release and a $5,000 fine on the defendant.
According to court documents, Horvath participated in a
scheme to circumvent export controls by using intermediaries and front
companies established in third countries, with the goal of concealing the final
destination of the technological equipment. These products, with potential
civilian and military applications, were subject to strict regulations due to
their potential use in intelligence operations or strategic communications.
The case is part of the US government's efforts to
strengthen sanctions and trade restrictions imposed on Russia following the
escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and ongoing allegations of the use of
foreign technology in military operations.
The Department of Justice emphasized that this type of
investigation "underscores the United States' commitment to protecting its
national security and preventing the diversion of sensitive technology to
hostile or sanctioned actors."