Bulgarian National Sentenced for Illegal Export of Microelectronics

BIS News & Updates

Filed February 18th, 2026

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

A Bulgarian national was sentenced to 38 months time served for conspiracy to illegally export U.S.-origin sensitive microelectronics to Russia. The scheme involved acquiring radiation-hardened electronic circuits from a U.S. company and shipping them to Russia between 2014 and 2018, violating export control laws.

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What changed

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas announced the sentencing of Milan Dimitrov, a Bulgarian national, to 38 months time served for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Dimitrov was involved in a scheme from August 2014 to May 2018, where his Bulgarian company, MTIG, facilitated the illegal export of U.S.-origin radiation-hardened microelectronic circuits, valued at approximately $497,000, to two Russian companies, including OOO Sovtest Comp. This action occurred following U.S. export controls imposed on Russia after its invasion of Crimea.

This enforcement action highlights the severe consequences for individuals and entities involved in illicit export schemes, particularly concerning sensitive technologies. Regulated entities involved in the export of dual-use or sensitive materials must ensure strict adherence to U.S. export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Failure to comply can result in significant prison sentences, fines, and other penalties. The case was investigated by the Commerce Department's Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI.

What to do next

Review export control policies and procedures for sensitive technologies.
Ensure compliance with International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Export Administration Regulations.
Verify end-user and end-use of all exported U.S.-origin sensitive components.

Penalties

38 months time served

Source document (simplified)

Press Release

Bulgarian National Sentenced in Austin for Scheme to Illegally Export U.S.-Origin Sensitive Microelectronics to Russia

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Share For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas AUSTIN, Texas – A Bulgarian national was sentenced in a federal court in Austin today to 38 months time served for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.

According to court documents, in August 2014, Milan Dimitrov, 51, began working at Multi Technology Integration Group EOOD (MTIG), a Bulgarian company created to enable two Russian companies to acquire U.S.-origin radiation-hardened and high-temperature electronic circuits from a company based in Austin. Earlier in 2014, following Russia’s invasion of Crimea, the U.S. imposed export controls that made it illegal to export those goods directly to Russia without a license from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.

In January 2015, the Bulgarian MTIG received a 16mB Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) Wafer from a U.S. supplier in Austin. Approximately one month later, MTIG entered into a written contract to deliver the parts to a Russian engineering company called OOO Sovtest Comp. Over the next three months, Sovtest transferred more than $1 million split into three separate payments to MTIG and, after receiving the third payment, MTIG issued Sovtest a $158,125 invoice for the sale of the Austin-based supplier’s parts to the Russian company. MTIG thereafter shipped the parts to Sovtest in Russia, in violation of the Export Administration Regulations and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Between May 2014 and May 2018, a total of six wafers were shipped as part of the scheme for a total of approximately $497,000. When diced, one wafer creates approximately 180 individual chips.

Dimitrov was charged in a four-count indictment in July 2020. He was arrested in 2022 and extradited to the U.S. in 2024. Dimitrov pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2025, admitting that he had knowledge that the parts were shipped from the U.S. to Bulgaria and then to Russia, and that he facilitated and benefitted from the illegal activity as an employee of MTIG and close associate of Sovtest’s owner, co-conspirator Ilias Sabirov. At this time, Sabirov remains a fugitive, as does the defendant’s father Dimitar Dimitrov, co-founder of MTIG.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman presided over the case, sentencing Dimitrov to time served after the Bulgarian spent 38 months in custody.

The Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI investigated the case with assistance from Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg prosecuted the case with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Greek authorities to secure the August 2024 extradition of Dimitrov to the United States.

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Contact USATXW.MediaInquiry@usdoj.gov

Updated February 18, 2026 Topics Export Control Counterintelligence National Security Components Criminal - Office of International Affairs National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Texas, Western