German engineer found guilty of role in South Africa nuke smuggling ring

A German engineer has pleaded guilty to being part of an international nuclear smuggling network that supplied Libya and Pakistan with weapons technology.

Johannesburg, Sept.5 : A German engineer has pleaded guilty to being part of an international nuclear smuggling network that supplied Libya and Pakistan with weapons technology.

According to an Associated Press report, the Pretoria High Court gave Gerhard Wisser an 18-year suspended sentence, where he faced seven charges relating to the network run by disgraced Pakistan nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan.

In a plea agreement, Wisser pleaded guilty to importing and exporting martial linked to Libya and Pakistan's nuclear weapons programs as well as forgery.

The state agreed to suspend Wisser's sentence for five years, but under the terms of the agreement he would have to do three years correctional supervision.

He also agreed to forfeit �2.8 million (US$3.8 million) and rands 6 million (US$838,000; �613,440) as proceeds from his crimes.

The National Prosecuting Authority said it welcomed the court's decision.

The case of Daniel Geiges, a Swiss citizen who was charged with Wisser, has been postponed to September 21. (ANI with inputs)

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