Bijan R. Kian

Bijan Kian; born January 15, 1952), also known as Bijan Rafiekian, is an Iranian-American businessman. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). He later became a business partner of retired U.S. Army lieutenant general Michael Flynn in the Flynn Intel Group. Kian was indicted in 2018 on charges related to acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and conspiracy, arising from lobbying and influence work connected to Turkish interests; after a multi-year sequence of trial and appeals, the U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss the case, and the district court dismissed the indictment with prejudice in 2023.

Early life and education Kian was born in Tehran in 1952. He has reported earning a bachelor's degree from Tehran Industrial College and a post-graduate diploma in management studies (DMS) from the University of Brighton.

Career Export–Import Bank of the United States Kian was nominated by President George W. Bush to the board of directors of the Export–Import Bank of the United States and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Flynn Intel Group and transition work Kian became associated with Michael Flynn through the Flynn Intel Group (FIG), a consulting and lobbying firm. Reporting in 2017 described Kian as a transition-era aide and as part of Flynn-related work connected to Turkey and to criticism of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen. In later appellate litigation, the Fourth Circuit summarized evidence about FIG’s 2016 project discussions involving Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin and work related to Gülen.

Criminal case and legal proceedings Indictment (2018) On December 17, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an indictment charging Kian and Kamil Ekim Alptekin with conspiracy and acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the U.S. Attorney General, in connection with efforts tied to Turkey and to Gülen.

Trial and jury verdict (2019) Kian pleaded not guilty. Trial began in July 2019 in the Eastern District of Virginia. A jury convicted him on charges including acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and conspiracy.

In March 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reinstated the jury’s guilty verdict and remanded the matter for further proceedings, a decision the Justice Department publicly described as upholding the conviction.

In May 2023, the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion addressing the case on appeal for a second time, summarizing the procedural posture and affirming the district court’s grant of a new trial based on the weight of evidence analysis after remand.