Belgian arms dealer charged with smuggling fighter jet parts to Iran pleads not guilty in Ala.

Arms dealer charged in smuggling pleads not guilty

MOBILE, Ala. — A Belgian arms dealer has pleaded not guilty in an Alabama courtroom to charges of trying to smuggle fighter jet parts to Iran.

Jacques Monsieur entered the plea Thursday during an appearance before a federal magistrate in Mobile.

Monsieur and an Iranian man were indicted in Mobile on charges of trying to obtain military items for the Iranian government. The alleged deal would violate the U.S. embargo against Iran.

Charges were filed in Alabama because the men allegedly wired money to a financial institution in Mobile for the purchase of fighter jet parts.

Monsieur has claimed to be an arms dealer who also does intelligence work. He once claimed to have a relationship with U.S. intelligence agencies.