Arms-deal accused 'lives in fear'

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The family of a former Iranian diplomat fighting extradition to the United States are living in constant fear of attacks, a court has heard.

Nosratollah Tajik, of Coxhoe, County Durham, was arrested last November and accused of conspiracy to supply military hardware to his home country.

His son has since been bullied and his house attacked, according to his wife.

City of Westminster Magistrates' Court adjourned the case for another hearing on 20 March.

We have had our home and car attacked four times and with these physical attacks we do not feel safe or secure anymore Mahboubeh Sadghi'nia

Mr Tajik, 53, was allegedly filmed discussing a deal in a London office by US officials, who are now seeking his extradition.

His legal team claims the Americans acted illegally by entrapping a man on British soil.

Mahboubeh Sadghi'nia, Mr Tajik's student wife, told the court their family life had been shattered by his arrest.

She said: "We have had our home and car attacked four times and with these physical attacks we do not feel safe or secure anymore.

"All the time, we are waiting for something. I do not go to the university anymore, but stay (at home)."

'Night vision'

Fears for his health are strong because he has a family history of heart problems. It killed his father and, in 1996, his six-year-old daughter.

All his brothers also have heart problems, the court heard.

An earlier court hearing was told how the former Iranian ambassador to Jordan is accused of being the UK link in an illegal arms network that spans the US, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Mr Tajik, who was briefly appointed an honorary fellow at Durham University in 2004, is accused of trying to supply weapons to Iran, which is under an arms embargo.

The court heard allegations of a deal involving hi-tech weapons sights, some of which could be used underwater, and night-vision binoculars.