Families of 9/11 victims sue S. Arabia: Media reports

EghtesadOnline: Families of victims and hundreds of individuals who suffered injuries as a result of the September 11, 2001, attacks sued Saudi Arabia in a US court, asking Riyadh to pay compensation to the victims of the of such attacks, it was reported early on Wednesday.

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24 March 2017

They are also seeking to take advantage of a law passed by US Congress last year that allows victims of such attacks on America soil to sue American sponsors, IRNA reported.

According to AU.News, for many years, US law granting foreign nations broad immunity from lawsuits scuttled attempts by September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in New York.

In 2015, US District Judge George Daniels dismissed claims against the kingdom from September 11 families, saying he did not have jurisdiction over a sovereign nation.

But last fall, Congress overwhelmingly passed the 'Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act' permitting such lawsuits to proceed.

Lawmakers overrode a veto from then-President Barack Obama, who argued that the law would expose US companies, troops and officials to lawsuits in other countries and could anger allies.

Since then, there have been seven lawsuits filed in New York against Saudi Arabia, including the recent complaint, all of which will go before Daniels. The previous cases were brought by families of victims and hundreds of individuals who suffered injuries as a result of the attacks.

Fifteen of the 19 airplane hijackers who carried out the attacks were from Saudi Arabia.