German businessmen convicted on arms exports

Two German businessmen were today convicted of helping Iraq acquire large drills that can be used to manufacture a long-range cannon.

Germany’s arms export laws prohibit the sale of the equipment to Baghdad.

It was feared the cannon would have been capable of firing nuclear, biological or chemical shells.

Engineer Bernd Schompeter, 59, the main defendant, was jailed for five years and three months.

Willi Heinz Ribbeck, 53, was placed on probation by the court in Mannheim.