The U.S. Justice Department announced they have filed a suit to seize three mosques and a building in New York City that is owned by Iranian interests. The corporation that owns the building is alleged to be laundering money bound for Iran.
The properties in question belong to the Assa Corporation and the Alavi Foundation. The New York skyscraper is held in the 650 5th Avenue Company in midtown Manhattan. The building is worth tens of millions.
The move comes in the wake of Iran declaring that three American hikers that strayed over the border of their country would be tried for espionage. The U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder did not draw a reference to this event. President Barack Obama said that the U.S. is still operating under an emergency declaration against Iran issued in the 70s.
The complaint now seeks forfeiture of all the holdings of Alavi and Assa, including bank accounts and properties owned by the foundation in N.Y., Va., Tx., Md and Calif. Three mosques are included in their holding, according to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department also alleges in their suit that the foundation transferred money from the 650 5th Avnue Company, to an Iranian bank that is owned by the Iranian government. The American government indicates the properties in the U.S. are the fruits of money laundering. According to a statement issued by the Justice Department, the former head of the Alavi Foundation is still under FBI and Justice Department investigation for criminal offenses including obstruction of justice.
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