A statement regarding the verdict was made by prosecutor Joseph Nocella Jr., FBI representative Terrence Reilly, and Jonathan Carson from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
According to the case materials, Zharnovnikov operated through a company registered in Bishkek and worked as an arms dealer. As part of one scheme, he signed a five-year contract worth $900,000 with an American firm to procure weapons for Kyrgyzstan. The export license prohibited the resale or shipment of these weapons to Russia; however, authorities claim that part of the goods was sent to Russia without permission, including semi-automatic weapons.
In another episode, the investigation established that Zharnovnikov re-exported five rifles through Kyrgyzstan from another American company. These rifles are alleged to have been used by Russian snipers, including those involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
Additionally, according to the prosecution, Zharnovnikov was involved in a scheme to supply American ammunition through Italy: 13,000 rounds worth $23,000 were sent to Bishkek, although the license stipulated that they be kept in Italy. Nevertheless, the ammunition was exported to Kyrgyzstan and was then intended to be sent to Russia.
The court proceedings were overseen by Federal Judge Hector Gonzalez, and the investigation was conducted with the participation of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
