A New York federal judge’s decision to deny Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss means that the civil lawsuit brought by 9/11 survivors and victims' families can proceed. This case has been years in the making, with plaintiffs alleging that Saudi Arabia played a role in supporting al-Qaeda in the lead-up to the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people.
Here are a few key points to understand:
What the lawsuit alleges:
- The plaintiffs claim that Saudi officials and agents supported or were linked to al-Qaeda operatives.
- They accuse the Kingdom of aiding and abetting terrorism under U.S. law, specifically the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), passed in 2016 to make such lawsuits possible.
What the judge ruled:
- The motion to dismiss was denied, meaning the court found enough legal and factual basis for the case to continue.
- This does not mean Saudi Arabia is guilty, but it allows for the discovery process exchanging of evidence) and eventually a trial, unless a settlement is reached first.
It matters:
- For the families, this is a long-sought opportunity for accountability.
- For Saudi Arabia, it could lead to damaging disclosures and potentially financial liability.
- It may also strain U.S.-Saudi diplomatic relations, depending on how the case unfolds.
- What happened:
A federal judge in New York has denied Saudi Arabia’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by families and survivors of the September 11, 2001 attacks. - What the lawsuit claims:
Saudi Arabia is accused of aiding and abetting al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind 9/11, specifically, that Saudi officials supported or were connected to the hijackers. - Legal foundation:
The lawsuit is allowed under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a 2016 law that lets U.S. citizens sue foreign governments for terrorism-related claims. - What the judge’s decision means:
- The case will now move forward to discovery, a phase where both sides must share evidence.
- It does not prove Saudi Arabia is guilty, but it means the claims are serious enough to explore in court.
- Why it matters:
- Families could gain long-awaited accountability.
- Saudi Arabia may face reputational and financial consequences.
- Could impact U.S.-Saudi diplomatic relations.