Hsieh Chin-yi, who ran a trade company in northern Taoyuan county, had exported missile parts disguised as general merchandise to Libya since 1999, said Chang Chin-feng, a spokesman for Taoyuan public prosecutors' office.

"He violated trade and anti-smuggling laws for exporting weapons without authorization," Chang told AFP.

The businessman ordered the parts custom-made from local factories.

Hsieh, held by police Thursday, also faced forgery charges because he declared the exported items as "car parts" to the customs office, Chang added.

The case was brought to Taiwan prosecutors' attention after the "car parts" were found to be missile components and confiscated in England in 1999 during transshipment.

In 2000, Hsieh was caught by Swiss police carrying some missile components in his bags at a Zurich airport. He was expelled afterwards.

Hsieh admitted having exported commercial products to Libya, not weapons, Chang said.

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