Government Moves to Seize Assets of U.S.-Based Iranian Foundation

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have initiated legal actions to seize properties across the country where several mosques are located in order to limit the activities of the Alavi Foundation, a New York City-based organization accused of illegally providing money and services to Iran, the New York Times reports.

The foundation, which owns the land on which the mosques sit as well as a majority interest in an office tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is accused of spending millions of dollars to obtain and develop the properties in violation of federal laws that ban trade with Iran. Prosecutors did not specify how much money they were seeking from the foundation but indicated that the foundation had tried for years to hide its relationship with the government of Iran. In the government’s complaint, filed in federal district court, no allegations were made against the mosques or other tenants of the properties owned by the foundation.

“There are no allegations of any wrongdoing on the part of any of these tenants or occupants,” said Yusill Scribner, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office. “No action has been taken against any tenants or occupants of those properties.”

The prosecutors’ action came on the same day that the White House announced the president had renewed longstanding economic sanctions against Iran. “The Alavi Foundation is disappointed that the government decided to bring this civil forfeiture action,” said attorney Daniel Ruzumna. “The foundation has been cooperating fully with the government since the investigation began. The foundation intends to litigate the government’s claims and expects to prevail when the litigation is over.”

Weiser, Benjamin. “U.S. Moves to Seize Properties Tied to Iran.” New York Times 11/12/09.

Source: PND