A Novato [California] businessman charged with illegally exporting aircraft parts to Iran has been denied a second chance at bail.

Hassan Saied Keshari, owner of Kesh Air International in Bel Marin Keys, was ordered held without bail last month when a federal judge in Miami ruled he was likely to flee the country before trial. The judge noted that Keshari, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Tehran, possesses an Iranian passport, has parents and siblings in Iran, and has a family network with the means to support him abroad.

But last week, Keshari's lawyers filed a motion seeking another bail hearing, saying prosecutors exaggerated both the risk that Keshari would flee and the seriousness of the case.

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Keshari was arrested in Florida last month with an alleged conspirator, Traian Bujduveanu, 53, a Florida businessman. Keshari and Bujduveanu, who owns Orion Aviation Corp. near Fort Lauderdale, are charged with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the United States Iran Embargo and the Arms Export Control Act, authorities said.

Authorities said Keshari and Bujduveanu have been arranging shipments of U.S.-made aircraft parts to Iran since 2006, working through an intermediary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The aircraft equipment allegedly included parts for the CH-53 military helicopter, the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and the AH-1 attack helicopter. Keshari allegedly requested quotes for parts for other military aircraft, including Vietnam-era F-4 Phantom fighter jets.

Neither Keshari nor Buj-duveanu are licensed or registered to ship such items to Iran.

Keshari and Bujduveanu have pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys said the allegedly exported aircraft parts are common parts with civilian uses.

Naturally, this defense differs from the facts alleged by the Justice Department which stated that that the aircraft parts were "designed exclusively for military use, and have been designated by the United States Department of State as 'defense articles' on the United States Munitions List, thus requiring registration and licensing with the DDTC."