UAE shipping companies accused by EU
Suspected to have links to Iranian military programmes The European Union has placed the names of eight companies based in the UAE on a list of entities suspected to have links to Iranian military programmes.An accountancy firm and seven shipping companies were included on a list of companies ordered to have any assets they hold in Europe frozen.The measures were agreed by the EU in December as part of sanctions against Iran.Morison Menon Chartered Accountants is pursuing legal action against the EU after it was included on the list.Court documents lodged with the Court of Justice of the European Communities accuse Morison Menon of being an "IRISL front company, owned or controlled by IRISL, or an IRISL affiliate."Both the EU and United States say the IRISL has played a key role in Iran's efforts to advance its military programme.Morison Menon denies it is a front for the IRISL and is fighting to clear its name. It advised IRISL on setting up an operation in Dubai Maritime City in 2004 and has since offered its services to help the firm launch branches in other emirates.It last did business with the IRISL in July 2010, said Raju Menon, the chairman and group ...
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