Commerce denies export privileges to imprisoned arms shipper
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has denied export privileges for 10 years to Gunter Kohlke, of Jestetten, Germany, who was convicted on July 18, 2002, of “knowingly and willfully attempting to export items on the United States Munitions List from the U.S. to Switzerland without first obtaining the required approval from the Department of State,” Eileen M. Albanese, director of the Office of Export Services, said in a statement.
Kohlke, who is imprisoned at the Allenwood Federal Correctional Institution in Allenwood, Pa., cannot apply for an export license nor have any dealings in international shipping from the U.S. until July 18, 2012. Nor may any company or individual act on Kohlke’s behalf or be associated with him regarding “any shipping transactions on items being exported from the U.S.,” Albanese said.