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US cites state secrets in civil lawsuit over Iran

NEW YORK - The US government, citing state secrets and a threat to national security, has asked a judge to toss out a defamation lawsuit that a wealthy Greek shipping magnate brought against a nonprofit organization seeking to thwart Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.

 

Victor Restis, a billionaire Greek citizen, sued the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran last year, claiming it was trying to ruin his livelihood and reputation by falsely claiming he did business with Iran. On Friday, the US government filed papers in Manhattan federal court saying the head of a federal agency had asserted a claim of privilege to information Restis demanded the nonprofit organization release.

 

The government, which is not a party to the case but sought to intervene, said the privileged information's disclosure could seriously damage national security, though its submission was vaguely worded and did not explain how a private organization would have information that could harm national security if it were released.

 

It said the case should be thrown out because its continuation would be "highly likely to risk disclosure of properly privileged matters."

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.16.14, 11:03