Following the foiled plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., the Council subjected five persons to EU restrictive measures aimed at combating terrorism," the council of European Union governments said in a statement on Friday.

"This means that their financial assets in the EU will be frozen and that no funds may be made available to them. Member states will afford each other the widest possible assistance with respect to enquiries related to these individuals."

A U.S. grand jury on Thursday formally indicted two men suspected of being part of an plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington.