Ukrainian Probe Into Weapons Sales to Iran Led to Arrests

The Day:

A government probe into lucrative illicit weapons sales by officials loyal to former President Leonid Kuchma has led to secret indictments or arrests of at least six arms dealers accused of selling nuclear-capable missiles to Iran and China, a high-ranking intelligence official said Friday.

The deals with Moscow-allied nations — which violate international nonproliferation treaties — put pressure on Ukraine's new president to halt the country's well-established illegal arms trade as he tries to boosts ties with and join NATO and the European Union.

President Viktor Yushchenko has promised to investigate illicit weapons-dealing, including a U.S. allegation that Kuchma approved the sale of a sophisticated Kolchuga radar system to Iraq despite U.N. sanctions against Saddam Hussein's regime. Kuchma denied the allegations.