|
Federal prosecutors in New York took legal steps on Thursday to seize
four mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper from a Muslim group suspected
of having ties to the Iranian government. By Tom Leonard in New York
Published: 11:57PM GMT 12 Nov 2009 The Piaget building: US to seize skyscraper and mosques of 'Iran-linked
Muslim group' The US government, which has accused Iran of financing terrorism and
trying to get hold of nuclear weapons, filed a civil complaint in
federal court seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million (£301
million) in assets controlled by a Shia Muslim charity called the Alavi
Foundation.
The assets include Islamic centres in New York, Maryland, California and
Houston, more than 100 acres of land in Virginia, and a 36-storey office
tower in Manhattan. Prosecutors claimed that the Alavi Foundation and a front company called
Assa Corporation illegally funnelled millions of dollars in rental
income back to the state-owned Bank Melli in Iran. The US Treasury has accused Bank Melli of financing Iran's nuclear
programme and it is illegal in America to do business with the bank. It is very rare for the US government to seize places of worship, but
officials have long suspected the foundation was a front for the Iranian
government. The 97-page complaint claimed several very senior Iranian officials,
including the deputy prime minister, have been involved in the charity's
business. "For two decades, the Alavi Foundation's affairs have been directed by
various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United
Nations, in violation of a series of American laws," Preet Bharara,
Manhattan's US attorney, said in a statement. The foundation's sleek tower block, known as the Piaget building, boasts
tenants who include law and investment firms. In 2007 records show it was earning the foundation $4.5 million a year
from rent. The mosques and tower will remain open while the forfeiture case works
its way through court in what could be a long process. The Alavi Foundation replaced the Pahlavi Foundation, set up by the Shah
to advance the country's charitable interests in America, although
prosecutors say its agenda changed.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites  |
