EU takes steps against suspects in Saudi envoy plot

Financial assets to be frozen, funds made unavailable for 5 people linked to alleged Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador to US.

By REUTERS
Obama Saudi Abdullah 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Obama Saudi Abdullah 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
European Union governments agreed on Friday to impose sanctions on five people linked to an alleged Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador to the United States, they said.
"Following the foiled plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US, the Council subjected five persons to EU restrictive measures aimed at combating terrorism," the council of EU governments said in a statement.
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"This means that their financial assets in the EU will be frozen and that no funds may be made available to them. Member states will afford each other the widest possible assistance with respect to inquiries related to these individuals."
A US grand jury on Thursday formally indicted two men suspected of being part of an plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington.
US authorities announced last week they had foiled a plot by two men linked to Iran's security agencies to assassinate Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir.
One suspect was arrested in the United States last month and the other is believed to be in Iran.
Manssor Arbabsiar, 56, was arrested on Sept. 29 when he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Mexico.