The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that a 43-year-old Bosnian citizen, described by federal prosecutors as an international arms dealer, has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a plot to broker the sale of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. The defendant, Sasa Micev, had previously pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the North Korea Sanctions Regulations in connection with a conspiracy and attempt to broker a deal for man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). Prosecutors alleged that Micev, together with a New Mexico–based co-conspirator and others, sought to evade U.S. Treasury Department sanctions by arranging to buy SA-18 Igla surface-to-air missiles from North Korea without obtaining the required license or approvals from the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
According to court documents, Micev and his co-conspirator repeatedly discussed illegally obtaining the Igla missiles throughout 2020. During that period, Micev allegedly tried to arrange the purchase from North Korea, including by supplying price quotes and using forged documents, despite knowing that the transaction was prohibited under U.S. and international law. Toward the end of 2020, the two men allegedly traveled to Turkey to close the deal, but it fell through when the parties could not agree on a price.
DOJ Press Release | Amended Judgment