Muslim scholars deny Treasury Dept. claims

BAGHDAD, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq issued a follow-up statement to appeals made to the U.S. Treasury Department's decision to freeze its assets.

The Treasury Department in September froze assets of five people for threatening to destabilize the security situation in Iraq.

"These individuals are targeting and planning attacks against innocent Iraqis, the government of Iraq, coalition forces and U.S. troops," said Stuart Levey, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Hadith al-Dhari, secretary-general of the ASMI, was one of the members targeted by the Treasury Department.

The ASMI in a statement to the Treasury Department denied Dhari held any assets in foreign banks and maintained his rights as a national figure in the group. "He has no affiliations to any armed groups," a statement said.

Muhammad al-Kubaysi, the group's spokesman, restated the claims in a weekend statement, saying officials were welcome to hold the funds because there are no funds to take.

Though the ASMI has opposed armed attacks against the civilian population in Iraq, it is a broad supporter of resistance movements.

The statement concludes with a call for the Treasury Department to investigate "the truth and credibility of its information."