New York: A man charged in a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States has pleaded not guilty in court in New York City.
A five-count indictment against Manssor Arbabsiar (ahr-BAHB'-see-ahr) was returned last week in US District Court in Manhattan.
The charges are the same as those contained in an Oct. 11 criminal complaint.
Authorities say the 56-year-old US citizen with an Iranian passport has admitted his role in a $1.5 million plot to kill the ambassador at a restaurant by setting off explosives.
President Barack Obama's administration has accused agents of the Iranian government of being involved in the plot.
The press attache at Iran's mission to the United Nations has called the accusation "baseless."
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 24, 2011, 20:58