BRUSSELS: Europe’s highest court ruled yesterday that EU sanctions on Saudi businessman Yassin Kadi were unjustified and that governments had failed to provide enough evidence that he was involved in terrorist activities.
Kadi was put on a European Union blacklist after being included on a UN list of people suspected of supporting Osama bin Laden directly after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He contested the EU decision that year.
The United Nations annulled its restrictions on Kadi in 2012, but his long-standing case is closely watched by critics who have challenged the fairness of international sanctions and their targets’ ability to defend themselves.
The Luxembourg-based EU Court of Justice dismissed appeals by the council of EU governments, Britain and the executive European Commission against earlier judgements to repeal sanctions.
“The European Union may not impose restrictive measures on Mr Kadi,” the court said in a statement.
REUTERS
