Li Fangwei
Li Fangwei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 18 September 1972 Heilongjiang, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Other names | Karl Lee |
| Occupation | Arms dealer |
Li Fangwei (Chinese 李方伟, born 18 September 1972), is a Chinese entrepreneur and international arms dealer. On April 28, 2014, he was indicted by the United States, alleging that he is suspected of violating sanctions and regulations, using shell companies to enter the American financial system, and providing Iran with technology related to ballistic missiles.[1]
Li Fangwei is one of the few Chinese nationals on the FBI's Most Wanted list. In 2014, the United States State Department also offered a reward of up to $5 million, hoping that someone could provide clues to help arrest Li Fangwei or prove his guilt.[2]
The charcoal plant he was in charge of also encountered protests from local people for allegedly illegally discharging and burying toxic waste, polluting the surrounding surface water and rivers. This practice is suspected to be a major factor in the apparent increase in birth defects and mortality near his factory, as well as exacerbating a host of other sanitation problems.
According to media reports, investigations have revealed that Fangwei was allegedly arrested in April 2019 for smuggling in Dalian and has been imprisoned in the Dalian detention center since 2020.[3]
Relations with the Chinese government
[edit]It is reported that Li Fangwei used to rely on family connections to hold official positions in China, and was deeply supported by the People's Liberation Army because of his grandfather's relationship.[4]
On April 30, 2014, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang stated at a regular press conference: "China firmly opposes the US imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals by citing domestic laws. The relevant US practices will not help solve the problem and damage the non-proliferation cooperation between the two sides. I want to emphasize that the Chinese government attaches great importance to non-proliferation export control, and will seriously investigate and deal with any violations of China's non-proliferation laws and regulations. China has carried out non-proliferation law enforcement cooperation to solve it. China urges the US to stop its wrong practice of sanctioning Chinese companies and individuals and return to the correct track of non-proliferation cooperation.”[5]
As the United States and China have not yet signed an extradition treaty, Li Fangwei may currently be under the protection of the Chinese government. Li Fangwei still runs several companies in Dalian and exports missile parts and technology to Iran.[6]
See also
[edit]- Weapon of mass destruction
- List of weapons of mass destruction treaties
- Nuclear proliferation
- Nuclear program of Iran
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
References
[edit]- ^ 赵小侠 (2014-04-30). "美国政府悬赏500万美元缉拿中国军火商李方伟". 腾讯网. Archived from the original on 2019-06-06.
- ^ zhangzh (2014-04-30). "美国悬赏500万通缉中国商人 称其向伊朗售武器". 凤凰财经. Archived from the original on 2019-06-07.
- ^ BR Fernsehen (2023-06-14). "Das chinesische Phantom · Die Jagd auf den gefährlichsten Waffenhändler der Welt". BR Fernsehen. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "How China Helped Iran Go Nuclear". 新闻周刊. 2015-07-14. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23.
- ^ 王晓易 (2014-05-01). "外交部谈美缉捕李方伟：坚决反对美援引国内法单边制裁". 网易新闻. Archived from the original on 2019-06-11.
- ^ Daniel Liu (2018-10-26). "Karl Lee, where is he now?". King's College London. Archived from the original on 2019-06-03.