Saudi Envoy Murder Plot Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Manssor Arbabsiar is accused of being involved in a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States.

A man charged in a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States has pleaded not guilty in a New York court.

Manssor Arbabsiar, who was arrested on September 29 in New York, faces several charges including conspiracy to murder a foreign official, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism.

Authorities have said the 56-year-old U.S. citizen with an Iranian passport had admitted his role in a plot to kill the ambassador at a restaurant by setting off explosives.

Another man, Gholam Shakuri, was also charged in the plot but is believed to still be in Iran.

The U.S. administration has accused agents of the Iranian government of being involved in the plot -- an allegation Tehran denies.

compiled from agency reports