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