A judge in the United States on Wednesday, April 7, rejected Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss the case accusing Riyadh of aiding in the planning of the September 11, 2001 attacks. According to Reuters, Judge George Daniels of the Manhattan federal court stated that the claims presented have a "logical basis" and that under the federal law "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism" (known as JASTA), enacted in 2016, he has jurisdiction to enter this case. The report indicates that the lawsuits filed in this case could lead to Saudi Arabia paying billions of dollars in damages to the victims of these attacks. Saudi Arabia has denied any involvement in the September 11 attacks, which resulted in approximately three thousand deaths. Saudi Arabia's defense attorneys have not yet responded to the decision of the Manhattan federal court. Reuters states that the families of the September 11 victims, about 25,000 injured from these attacks, and many companies and insurers are the plaintiffs in this case. Meanwhile, Judge George Daniels dismissed claims against the National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, two Saudi banks, and a construction company owned by the Bin Laden family, alleging their financial support for the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, stating that he does not have jurisdiction to examine those claims. In 2016, Barack Obama, the then-President of the United States, vetoed the congressional bill regarding "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism" or JASTA. However, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States overwhelmingly overturned Obama's veto regarding the right to sue Saudi Arabia, and this bill became law. After the passage of this law, American officials warned that it could lead to lawsuits against companies, military personnel, and officials of the United States in other countries. The "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism" law allows the families of the September 11 victims to file lawsuits in U.S. federal courts against Riyadh for any role that elements affiliated with the Saudi government may have had in these attacks. Fifteen of the nineteen perpetrators of the September 11 attacks in 2001 were Saudi nationals, although Riyadh strongly denies any connection between them and the Saudi government.
US Court Rejects Saudi Arabia's Request to Dismiss 9/11 Lawsuit
A US judge has denied Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss lawsuits alleging its involvement in the September 11 attacks. The decision could lead to significant financial liabilities for Saudi Arabia, as families of victims and injured parties seek damages. This case is significant as it highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia regarding accountability for the attacks.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A U.S. judge has denied Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss lawsuits accusing it of aiding in the September 11 attacks. This ruling allows the case to proceed, potentially leading to significant financial liabilities for Saudi Arabia.
- The judge ruled under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism (JASTA) law, allowing lawsuits against foreign nations.
- Fifteen of the nineteen September 11 attackers were Saudi nationals, although the Saudi government denies any involvement.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The September 11 attacks were a pivotal moment in U.S. history, leading to significant changes in foreign policy and national security. JASTA allows victims' families to seek justice against foreign sponsors of terrorism.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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