NRI 'missile man' may get 67 years

India-born British businessman Hemant Lakhani, convicted of trying to sell shoulder-fired Russian made missiles to terrorists, could get upto 67 years in prison and fined several million dollars.

Lakhani, 69, was arrested on August 12, 2003 in a hotel room near Newark international airport after he offered to sell the missile to a 'Pakistani' who was actually a government informant at the end of a multinational sting operation.

NRI convicted for trying to sell missiles

Lakhani was charged with providing material support to terrorists, unlawful arms sale, smuggling and two counts of money laundering. He was convicted on all five counts on April 27.

It was the first terrorism case prosecuted in New Jersey since the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

Indian Intelligence thinks Lakhani is no terrorist

Calling the verdict "a triumph for the Justice Department in the war against terror", Attorney Christopher J Christie said Lakhani "didn't care who he was dealing them to, or what they wanted to use them for."

However, in an interview on Wednesday, Lakhani claimed he was 'innocent', adding he would appeal.