Europe’s Top Court Rejects Sanctions Against Saudi Businessman

Europe's highest court ruled on Thursday 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 U.N. 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.

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Critics of the European courts say such decisions endanger the international community's efforts to conduct foreign policy and combat terrorism.

“The courts are making policy and they have overstepped their boundaries,” said Emanuele Ottolenghi of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a think-tank that has advised the U.S. government on sanctions against Iran.

EU governments argue Europe's legal system rules would force them to make public evidence and information they say should remain confidential to protect intelligence efforts.

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