EU court annuls Iranian ‘terrorists’ ruling

Europe’s second-highest court has cancelled a decision to freeze the funds of an exiled Iranian opposition group considered as terrorists by the EU.

On Tuesday the court of first instance in Luxembourg annulled the EU’s 2002 decision to freeze funds of the People’s Mujahideen (OMPI).

The European court found that the OMPI was wrongly placed on Brussels’ list of terrorist organisations.

“The court finds that the decision ordering the freezing of the OMPI's funds does not contain a sufficient statement of reason and that it was adopted in the course of a procedure during which the right of the party concerned to a fair hearing was not observed,” the decision read.

“Accordingly, that decision must be annulled insofar as it concerns the OMPI.”

The move is likely to frustrate Tehran, where government officials are said to have used the EU judgement to defend repression of OMPI sympathisers.

The US also lists the Paris based OMPI group as a terrorist organisation.

But OMPI insists it advocates the overthrow of Iran's hardline clerical regime in Tehran by peaceful means.

Speaking on behalf of EU member states, the European council accepted the judgement but said it will not affect other freezes on individuals associated with, “Osama bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban.”

• Previous article
• Next article