According to the agency, Zharnovnikov was involved in exporting firearms and ammunition of American manufacture from the U.S. to Russia via Kyrgyzstan, amounting to over $1.5 million. He does not have permanent resident status in the U.S., and after the sentencing, he may face deportation.
The statement about the sentence was made by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr., FBI representative Terrence Reilly, and Jonathan Carson from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
According to court documents, the defendant operated as an arms dealer through a company in Bishkek. The investigation believes that since March 2020, he, along with others, organized a scheme to supply weapons and ammunition to Russia, which are subject to U.S. restrictions.
In one instance, he signed a five-year contract worth $900,000 with an American company to purchase and supply weapons to Kyrgyzstan. An export license was issued; however, it clearly stated that resale or export of this weapon to Russia was prohibited. Nevertheless, U.S. authorities report that Zharnovnikov sent part of the weapons to Russia without the appropriate permission, including semi-automatic weapons.
In another episode, he re-exported five rifles from another American company to Russia through Kyrgyzstan. The U.S. Department of Justice claims that these rifles were used by Russian snipers, including units involved in conflicts in Ukraine.
Additionally, the investigation believes that Zharnovnikov was involved in supplying American ammunition through Italy: 13,000 rounds worth $23,000 were delivered to Bishkek, while the license required that the shipment remain in Italy. However, it is alleged that the ammunition was exported to Kyrgyzstan with the intention of further sending it to Russia.
The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez, and the investigation was conducted with the participation of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
