9:29am Friday 3rd September 2010
A RETIRED businessman accused of conspiring to sell parts for Iranian missiles must wait to discover whether he will be extradited to the US.
Christopher Tappin from Orpington denies he attempted to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles which were to be shipped from the US to Tehran via the Netherlands.
If convicted, the 63-year-old, who is president of Kent County Golf Union, could face 35 years in an American jail.
City of Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday heard US agents sought to entrap the businessman with lies, deceit and false assurances, and that without their proactive pursuit of Mr Tappin there would have been no offence.
Ben Cooper, defending, said the agents "overstepped the mark of legitimate law enforcement conduct" and effectively "caused the offence to be committed".
He told the court: "Mr Tappin fully denies the allegations. He also contends that he was the victim of the unlawful conduct of US agents who pretended to belong to a company known as Mercury Global Enterprises."
District Judge John Zani adjourned the case to November 4 some time after which a decision will be made on whether he will be sent to the US.
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