New York, NY – In a significant legal development, a federal judge in New York has denied Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by families of the victims of the September 11 attacks. The families are seeking to hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia responsible for allegedly providing support to the hijackers who orchestrated the devastating 2001 terror attacks on American soil.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in a years-long legal battle that aims to uncover the full scope of potential Saudi involvement in the attacks that changed the course of American history.
A Long-Standing Legal Struggle Against Saudi Arabia
The lawsuit, often described by plaintiffs’ lawyers as a “labyrinth,” has faced numerous hurdles since its inception. Saudi Arabia had succeeded in temporarily dismissing the case in 2015; however, that dismissal was overturned by a federal appeals court. Critical to the progression of this lawsuit was the enactment of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) in 2016. This legislation empowered victims of terror attacks to sue foreign governments suspected of providing material support to terrorists, granting U.S. courts jurisdiction over such cases linked to attacks on American soil.
- The lawsuit specifically focuses on two of the 19 hijackers: Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, who were aboard the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
- More than a year before the attacks, these two hijackers resided in Los Angeles, where they received housing assistance from a Saudi man named Omar al-Bayoumi.
- The 9/11 Commission’s 2004 report suggested Bayoumi met the hijackers by chance, but declassified federal reports allege deeper ties linking him to Saudi intelligence.
Allegations Against Saudi Government Figures
Central to the allegations are claims that Bayoumi had extensive connections to the Saudi government and may have acted as an intelligence officer. Additionally, Fahad al-Thumairy, a Saudi diplomat and imam based in Los Angeles, has also been investigated for potential assistance to the hijackers, though the 9/11 Commission found no evidence supporting this.
Significant pieces of evidence brought forward include:
- A 2004 discovery of a notebook at Bayoumi’s home containing a drawing of a plane and a mathematical equation potentially related to calculating a plane’s descent to a target.
- A 2022 “60 Minutes” report featuring newly revealed footage of Bayoumi filming U.S. Capitol entrances and referencing a “plan,” intensifying suspicions about potential intended targets of Flight 93.
Judge’s Ruling and Its Impact
U.S. District Judge George Daniels, presiding in the Southern District of New York, ruled on Thursday that the plaintiffs have provided sufficient evidence to proceed with the lawsuit. His order stated:
“Plaintiffs have managed to provide this Court with reasonable evidence as to the roles played by Bayoumi, Thumairy, and KSA, in assisting the hijackers. KSA did not proffer sufficient evidence to the contrary.”
Judge Daniels highlighted several undisputed facts pivotal to this decision:
- Bayoumi assisted in securing apartments for the hijackers and acted as a lease guarantor.
- A notepad with drawings and numerical notes was found in Bayoumi’s personal belongings.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s arguments that Bayoumi’s interactions were innocent coincidences and that the airplane drawing was unrelated to the attacks, Daniels dismissed these as unsubstantiated claims, referring to them as “self-serving denials” that do not withstand scrutiny.
Reactions From Families and Legal Experts
The ruling has been welcomed by attorneys representing the victims’ families. Sean P. Carter, an attorney involved in the case, stated,
“We welcome the court’s thorough and well-reasoned decision and look forward to moving the case forward to trial.”
Another law firm, Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, expressed that this ruling is a crucial step towards achieving justice and allowing important questions about Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement to be fully examined in court.
What’s Next in the Pursuit of Justice?
The case will now proceed toward trial, where more extensive examination of evidence and testimonies will take place. This lawsuit continues to draw attention to unresolved questions regarding the extent of foreign government involvement in the 9/11 attacks and the implications for U.S. national security and diplomatic relations.