For the second time in less than two weeks, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has ordered commercial banks nationwide to freeze the assets of individuals and groups suspected of financing terrorist activities.
According to the Arabic language daily Al Bayan, the central bank ordered the commercial banks to freeze the assets of 30 companies listed in the country.
In a circular issued to the UAE's 47 national and foreign banks, bank authorities said the assets of those institutions should be immediately frozen, the Gulf News reported.
Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, the central bank governor, said in the circular "you are requested to provide the special unit at the Central Bank with details of those accounts and freeze any accounts, deposits or other investments under the following names and freeze them."
This step is the second of its type in less than two weeks, since, the central bank ordered a freeze on the assets of Al Barakat and 62 others belong to a number of organizations, companies and individuals who are suspected of financing or dealing with Osama bin Laden or his movement – Albawaba.com
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