A US court has rejected Saudi Arabia’s request to throw out lawsuits claiming the Middle Eastern nation helped plan the 9/11 terror attacks.

District judge George Daniels said there was “a reasonable basis” to allow legal action seeking billions of dollars in damages for victims.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people when hijacked aeroplanes crashed into New York’s World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field.

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Lawyers representing the families of those killed and about 25,000 people who were injured, as well as businesses and insurers affected, filed 25 lawsuits against the Saudis in New York last year.

Saudi Arabia argued the plaintiffs in the legal action could not show the kingdom or any affiliated charities were behind the attacks. It also claimed it deserved sovereign immunity and asked for the lawsuits to be dismissed.

But Mr Daniels said the allegations “narrowly articulate a reasonable basis” for him to assert jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).

“This is really a historic day for the families,” said Sean Carter, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs. “The families have been trying for many years to have an opportunity for the Saudi government to answer on the merits.”

Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.

At a Saudi stock market event in New York, asked whether the court decision would have a negative impact on Saudi investment in the United States, Capital Market Authority chairman Mohammed Abdullah El-Kuwaiz declined to comment, saying he had not seen the news.

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China issued a red alert for incoming Super Typhoon Lekima which is expected to batter eastern Zhejiang province early on August 10 with high winds and torrential rainfall. AFP/Getty 33/50 8 August 2019 A herder struggles with his flock across a motorway at the city cattle market, ahead of the Eid al-Adha in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Eid al-Adha is the holiest of the two Muslims holidays celebrated each year, it marks the yearly Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) to visit Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. Muslims slaughter a sacrificial animal and split the meat into three parts, one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor and needy. EPA 34/50 7 August 2019 Kazakh servicemen perform during a ceremony opening the International Army Games at the 40th military base Otar in Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan. 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This is to coincide with his state of the nation address in Manila. AFP/Getty

Mr Daniels dismissed claims that two Saudi banks and a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family had provided funds and financial services for the attacks, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

He also rejected claims against the state-affiliated charity Saudi High Commission for Relief of Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying the plaintiffs’ “guilt-by-association” allegations did not overcome its presumption of immunity.

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Saudi Arabia had long enjoyed broad immunity from 9/11 lawsuits in the US.

That changed in September 2016, when the US Congress overrode a veto by president Barack Obama and adopted the JASTA, which permits such claims to proceed.

Mr Obama had warned that the law could expose US companies, troops and officials to lawsuits in other countries.

Mr Daniels said the plaintiffs could try to prove that Saudi Arabia was liable for the alleged activities of Fahad al Thumairy, an imam at the King Fahad Mosque in Culver City, California, and Omar al Bayoumi, said to be an intelligence officer.

They were accused of helping two hijackers settle in the US and begin preparing for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia had argued that the plaintiffs could not show that any Saudi official, employee or agent planned or carried out the attacks.

James Kreindler, a lawyer for families bringing wrongful death claims, said he was “delighted” the case can proceed.

“We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks,” he said.

He previously said their case would present “tons of allegations of what many Saudis and the country’s alter ego charities did”, adding: “Saudi Arabia cannot hide from the facts.”

Fifteen of the 19 terrorists in the 9/11 attacks were Saudis. The US investigated some Saudi diplomats and others with government ties who knew hijackers after they arrived in the US, according to documents declassified in 2016.

The 9/11 Commission report found “no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded” the attacks al-Qaida masterminded, but the commission also noted “the likelihood” that Saudi government-sponsored charities did.

At a hearing in January, lawyer Michael Kellogg, arguing for Saudi Arabia, cited the Commission’s report repeatedly, as well as probes by the FBI and CIA.

“All rejected Saudi Arabia was responsible,” he said.

Last year survivors of the 9/11 attacks wrote to British prime minister Theresa May urging her to make public a British government report into the extent of Saudi Arabia’s funding of Islamist extremism in the UK.

The report was commissioned by her predecessor, David Cameron, as part of a deal to obtain political support for a parliamentary vote on UK airstrikes on Syria, but the Home Office said it was not published “because of the volume of personal information it contains and for national security reasons”.</s>NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.

U.S. District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs’ allegations “narrowly articulate a reasonable basis” for him to assert jurisdiction under a federal law, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from Sept. 11 lawsuits in the United States, before the U.S. Congress in September 2016 overrode a veto by President Barack Obama to allow such cases to proceed.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks, in which hijacked airplanes crashed into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3,000 people died.

Daniels has overseen litigation against Saudi Arabia by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and a variety of businesses and insurers.

“We’re delighted that Judge Daniels denied Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss,” James Kreindler, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs, said in a phone interview.

“We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks,” he added.

In two decisions, Daniels also dismissed claims by various plaintiffs against several other defendants, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

Among these defendants were two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family.

They were accused of knowingly providing material support to Osama bin Laden or al Qaeda, in the form of funds and financial services, to carry out the attacks.

The case is In re: Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 03-md-01570.</s>NEW YORK: A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.



US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs’ allegations “narrowly articulate a reasonable basis” for him to assert jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a 2016 federal law.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks in which hijacked aeroplanes crashed into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3,000 people died.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.

At a Saudi stock market event in New York, asked whether the court decision would have a negative impact on Saudi investment in the United States, Capital Market Authority Chairman Mohammed A. ElKuwaiz declined to comment, saying he had not seen the news.

Daniels’ decision covers claims by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and many businesses and insurers.

The judge also dismissed claims that two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family, provided funds and financial services for the attacks, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from September 11 lawsuits in the United States.

That changed in September 2016, when the US Congress overrode President Barack Obama’s veto of JASTA, allowing such cases to proceed.

Obama had warned that the law could expose US companies, troops and officials to lawsuits in other countries.

Daniels said the plaintiffs could try to prove that Saudi Arabia was liable for the alleged activities of Fahad al Thumairy, an imam at the King Fahad Mosque in Culver City, California, and Omar al Bayoumi, said to be an intelligence officer.

They were accused of helping two hijackers acclimate themselves to the United States, and begin preparing for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia had argued that the plaintiffs could not show that any Saudi official, employee or agent planned or carried out the attacks.

James Kreindler, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs, said he was “delighted” the case can proceed.

“We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks,” he said in a phone interview.

The judge also dismissed claims against the state-affiliated charity Saudi High Commission for Relief of Bosnia & Herzegovina, saying the plaintiffs’ “guilt-by-association” claims did not overcome its presumption of immunity.

The case is in re: Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 03-md-01570.</s>NEW YORK - A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia's bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and should pay damages to victims.



US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs' allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction under a 2016 US law, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.



Daniels also dismissed claims against two Saudi banks and a Saudi construction company for allegedly providing material support to al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden to carry out the attacks, saying he lacked jurisdiction.



The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks, in which hijacked planes crashed into New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3,000 people died.</s>A judge in New York on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia's bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.

U.S. District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan, said that the plaintiffs' allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction under a federal law called the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

Read more: 9/11 and the global consequences

"We're delighted that Judge Daniels denied Saudi Arabia's motion to dismiss," said James Kreindler, a lawyer for many of the plaintiffs, in a phone interview.

"We have been pressing to proceed with the case and conduct discovery from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so that the full story can come to light, and expose the Saudi role in the 9/11 attacks," he added.

Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from Sept. 11 lawsuits in the United States. That changed in 2016 when the U.S. Congress overrode a veto by President Barack Obama to allow such cases to proceed.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks, in which hijacked airplanes crashed into New York's World Trade Center, a Pennsylvania field and the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. causing the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

Judge Daniels has overseen litigation against Saudi Arabia by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and a variety of businesses and insurers.

In a pair of decisions, Daniels also dismissed claims by various plaintiffs against several other defendants. He said that he lacked jurisdiction.

Among those defendants were the Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family and two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank. They were accused of knowingly providing material support to Osama bin Laden or al Qaeda, in the form of funds and financial services, to carry out the attacks.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.</s>Saudi Arabia’s attempt to shut down lawsuits alleging it was involved in the planning of the September 11 attacks has been denied by a U.S. judge on Wednesday.

Hundreds of victims, insurance companies and businesses sued the Saudi government after they said the government knowingly assisted hijackers who carried out the attacks.

The Saudi government has denied any involvement in the attacks strongly.

The government was accused of helping two hijackers acclimate themselves in the U.S. to begin preparing for the attacks, but the defendants argued that there was no proof of any government official or employee involvement, Reuters reported.

Fifteen of the 19 attackers were Saudis.

U.S. District Judge George Daniels said in Wednesday’s ruling that the plaintiffs' allegations met the requirements for the court to assume jurisdiction under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

He did, however, dismiss claims that two Saudi banks and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family, were involved in the attacks by providing funds and financial services on grounds that he lacked jurisdiction, Reuters reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.</s>A US judge has rejected Saudi Arabia's bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001, attacks and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.

US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs' allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction under a federal law, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

Saudi Arabia had long had broad immunity from September 11 lawsuits in the United States, before the US Congress in September 2016 overrode a veto by President Barack Obama to allow such cases to proceed.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Saudi government has long denied involvement in the attacks, in which hijacked airplanes crashed into New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, DC, and a Pennsylvania field. Nearly 3000 people died.

In two decisions, Daniels also dismissed claims by various plaintiffs against several other defendants, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

Among these defendants were two Saudi banks, National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank, and Saudi Binladin Group, a construction company controlled by the bin Laden family.

They were accused of knowingly providing material support to Osama bin Laden or al Qaeda, in the form of funds and financial services, to carry out the attacks.</s>A US judge has dismissed Saudi Arabia's bid to dismiss lawsuits alleging that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) helped finance Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda leading up to the September, 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

"Plaintiffs allege here that Defendant Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for the 9/11 Attacks because its agent and employees directly and knowingly assisted the hijackers and plotters who carried out the attacks," US District Judge George Daniels wrote in a March 28 court memorandum decision.

The allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis for this court to assume jurisdiction under JASTA over Plaintiffs' claims against Saudi Arabia," the judge wrote, referring to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

The cases will now move to "limited jurisdictional discovery." Discovery in the legal context means that Saudi Arabia is obliged to disclose relevant information about the case, as requested by the plaintiffs. In other words, it means the case will go forward in examining whether or not Saudi Arabia has immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA).

The lawsuits are a sensitive topic in US-Saudi Arabia relations. For more than a decade, Riyadh has flown under the cover of immunity from September 11 lawsuits in the US.

Then, in September 2016, then-President Barack Obama vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). Congress quickly voted on the bill again and accrued the necessary votes to override the president's veto. The law effectively allows the families of 9/11 victims, survivors and insurance firms to move forward with charges that KSA provided financial support to charities that supported Al-Qaeda.

"If the Saudi government had no involvement in 9/11, it has nothing to fear. But if it was culpable, it should be held accountable. That is the basic principle of [JASTA]," Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal said when the bill became law.</s>A United States judge Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s attempt to terminate lawsuits that alleged the kingdom helped plan the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

In 2003, hundreds of survivors, victims’ relatives and corporations sued Saudi Arabia, claiming they assisted the hijackers who crashed into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania. Of the 19 attackers, 15 were Saudi Arabians.

District Judge George Daniels said Wednesday, while dismissing the motion, the plaintiff’s claims met the necessary conditions for the court to affirm jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), 2016.

“Neither the 9/11 Commission Report, nor any other governmental report, adequately and specifically refutes plaintiffs’ allegations,” Daniels mentioned in the ruling.

The kingdom has vehemently denied its involvement in the coordinated attacks, which led to the death of nearly 3,000 people and loss of $10 billion in property damage.

The Wednesday ruling marks the first time the survivors and relatives have been able to make sure the Middle Eastern country is examined for its role in the terror attacks.

Terming it a “historic day for the families,” Sean Carter, the attorney for the plaintiffs, said, “The families have been trying for many years to have an opportunity for the Saudi government to answer on the merits.”

Saudi Arabia has enjoyed broad immunity for long as far as the Sept. 11 attacks were concerned. This changed in 2016 when the Congress allowed such cases to proceed under JASTA, in spite of then President Barack Obama’s vetoing the act. Obama had then claimed the law might expose U.S firms, troops as well as officials to lawsuits in other countries.

Judge Daniels said the plaintiffs could try to prove Saudi Arabia was responsible for the activities of Fahad al Thumairy, who was an imam at a mosque in California, and Omar al Bayoumi, who claimed to be an intelligence officer.

“According to Plaintiffs, Thumairy was responsible for orchestrating the U.S.-based support network for two of the 9/ll hijackers, Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar, upon their arrival in the United States in January 2000, at the direction of an unnamed senior Saudi official based in the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.,” the ruling stated.

The court documents also mentioned Bayoumi assisted Hazmi and Mihdhar in finding an apartment, paying their rents, finding them flight schools, etc.

Saudi Arabia had earlier claimed plaintiffs could not mention any Saudi employee or official assisted or carried out the attacks.

For the victims and their relatives, the ruling comes as a relief. Widow Terry Strada, whose husband died inside the World Trade Center, said, “Wow, JASTA works.”

“I’ve never had that experience in my life ever,” Strada said in a phone interview to Courthouse News.

Strada, who heads the group 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism, has been fighting to conduct investigations into Saudi ties since 2002.</s>NEW YORK — A judge has rejected Saudi Arabia's motion to end a New York lawsuit seeking to hold it responsible in the Sept. 11 attacks.

In dismissing the motion Wednesday, U.S. District Judge George Daniels said the plaintiffs' allegations met the requirements for the court to assume jurisdiction under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

Congress passed the act in 2016 over then-President Barack Obama's veto, allowing the claims to go forward against the kingdom after they were rejected once in court.

Hundreds of victims' relatives and injured survivors, along with insurance companies and businesses, sued the Saudi government, saying its employees knowingly assisted hijackers who carried out the attacks.

Fifteen of the 19 attackers were Saudis.

The Saudi government has long denied any involvement in the attacks.
U.S. District judge George B. Daniels of the District Court for the Southern District of New York has rejected the government of Saudi Arabia’s request to throw out lawsuits claiming the nation helped plan the September 11 attacks.