Briton denies trying to smuggle missiles into US

A British man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the US.

A British man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the US.

Mr Hemant Lakhani (68), of Hendon, north London, also denied charges that he told an undercover agent posing as a terrorist that he could obtain a radioactive "dirty bomb".

Mr Lakhani, who appeared at New Jersey District Court in Newark, denied further charges that he offered to procure anti-aircraft guns, tanks, armoured personnel carriers, radar systems and C-4 explosives.

No trial date was set but all parties will return to court on April 26th, when defence motions will be heard.

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Indian-born Mr Lakhani was arrested in Newark shortly after arriving in the US on August 12th, following a double sting operation by the FBI and Russian intelligence.

He is accused of trying to sell 50 shoulder-fired missiles to the undercover agent who was posing as a Muslim terrorist determined to shoot down a US passenger jet.

Mr Lakhani faces up to 25 years in jail if convicted.