General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS gov't to seize Manhattan skyscraper over owners' ties to Iran
The US government is set to seize control of a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan that prosecutors claim is secretly owned by Iran, AFP reported on Wednesday.
In a statement to the press, the US Justice Department said the seizure and sale of the 36-story 650 Fifth Avenue building would be the largest-ever terrorism-related forfeiture.
The funds from selling the 382,500 square-foot building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 52nd Street would be directed as compensation for victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism, Manhattan Federal prosecutor Preet Bharara was quoted by AFP as saying.
Last week, a federal judge ruled that the owners of the building violated US laws against doing business with Iran, though the ruling could still be appealed.
US District Judge Katherine Forrest found that the majority owner of the building, the Alavi Foundation, knew that two minority owners were fronts for Iran's Bank Melli, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and US money laundering laws.
http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/US-govt-to-seize-Manhattan-skyscraper-for-owners-alleged-ties-to-Iran-326491
rdharma
(6,057 posts)The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)NV Whino
(20,886 posts)I'm so confused.
Lawlbringer
(550 posts)Iraq.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)then do we give it back?
NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Think about this for a minute. USA does not share the same political views as the country whose government they overthrew. Surprise, surprise!!
So, USA says they are an enemy and anyone doing business with them must be also, so we'll steal your stuff. Sounds like what the USA did to the Native Americans, not to mention the Spanish seizing anything owned by a pagan and enslaving them. Where is the fuzzy line between justice and this sort of legal voodoo arbitrariness?