Former Nuclear Power Plant Engineer Arrested for Giving Access Codes to Iran

Charges have been brought against a former nuclear plant engineer for allegedly taking computer access codes and software to Iran it was reported today. According to a report on www.foxnews.com, the computer was used to download details of plant control rooms and reactors.

According to the FBI, there is no reason to believe there were any terrorist connections in the incident.

Mohammed Alavi was arrested after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving on a flight from Iran according to authorities. He had worked for the triple- reactor Palo Verde Power Plant west of Phoenix, Arizona.

Alavi denies any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Milagros Cisneros, of the Federal Defender's Office. Alavi is a United States citizen.

Alavi, 49, is charged with a single count of violating a trade embargo against Iran. Under the embargo, Americans are not allowed to export goods or services to the country. Alavi could face up to 21 months in prison, if convicted.

The computer software is used only for training plant employees, according to court records. Nevertheless, it does allow users to access details on the plant control rooms and the plant layout. Authorities also claim that in October the software was used to download training manuals from Tehran, Iran. Allegedly, a Palo Verde user identification card was used.

According to the FBI, there is no evidence to suggest the software was linked to the Iranian government. The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on the Iranian government for failing to stop the enrichment of uranium. Iran has said the program is to develop a source of energy. Other world governments have said they fear the country might be developing a nuclear bomb, and officials in Israel have said an Iran with a nuclear bomb would be the biggest threat in history to the Jewish nation.

Deborah McCarley, an FBI spokeswoman in Phoenix, said her agency does not believe the information allegedly given by Alavi would have been used by the Iranian government or terrorists to attack the United States.