Washington — The U.S. Department of the Treasury October 18 placed Dalene Sanders under sanctions for providing support and services to Saadi Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The action generally prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with Sanders, a South African citizen, and freezes any assets she may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

"Today's designation of a key, ongoing supporter of Saadi Gaddafi reflects the United States government's steadfast commitment to a free and democratic Libya," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen, in a Treasury Department news release. "We are determined to oppose all those who seek to foster violence, fear or instability in Libya, and we will continue to support efforts to prevent funds belonging to the Libyan people from being misused."

Saadi Gaddafi, currently believed to be in Niger, was placed under U.S. sanctions by Executive Order (E.O.) 13566 on March 11, 2011. The United Nations also imposed sanctions on Saadi Gaddafi on March 17, 2011, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973. Dalene Sanders is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13566 because she has provided financial and material support to, as well as services in support of, Saadi Gaddafi. She is also being designated for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Saadi Gaddafi.

Saadi Gaddafi has called for an uprising against the democratically elected Libyan government and has threatened to return to Libya to carry on his father's brutal legacy. He also has claimed to be in contact with a number of people who are willing to help him with his revolt. Saadi Gaddafi's ongoing activities and the potential misuse of resources at his disposal pose a direct threat to Libya's democratic transition, according to the Treasury Department.

Dalene Sanders has been working to move money out of bank accounts held in Uganda, on instruction from Saadi Gaddafi, the department said. In February 2012, Sanders also met with Ugandan officials to discuss asylum in Uganda for Saadi Gaddafi.

On March 1, 2011, President Obama declared a national emergency with respect to Libya in E.O. 13566. This authority named Muammar Gaddafi (who was killed in October 2011), his government, his family and his close associates for being involved in the commission of human rights abuses related to political repression in Libya.

The U.S. government continues to work to support Libya's security and democratic transition, the Treasury Department said. In this regard, the naming of Saadi Gaddafi's associate seeks to prevent Libyan state assets from being misappropriated by Gaddafi's family members or close associates to threaten the democratically elected government.