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New York court hears arguments in 9/11 families' lawsuit against Saudi Arabia
Overview
The New York Court of Appeals has heard arguments in the long-running lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims against the government of Saudi Arabia. The families allege that a former Saudi government employee, Omar al-Bayoumi, knowingly supported two of the 9/11 hijackers. Saudi Arabia denies complicity, maintains it has sovereign immunity from prosecution in US courts, and is asking the appeals court to reverse a previous district court ruling that allowed the case to proceed towards trial.
Key points
- The New York Court of Appeals heard arguments to decide whether the 9/11 families' lawsuit against Saudi Arabia can move to trial.
- Families allege that former Saudi government employee Omar al-Bayoumi knowingly supported two of the 9/11 hijackers.
- Saudi Arabia denies the allegations, maintains that any claim of complicity is categorically false, and asserts foreign sovereign immunity.
- The lawsuit was initially filed in 2002 and was later enabled by the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).
- In August 2025, the Manhattan District Court ruled that plaintiffs presented enough evidence under JASTA for the case to proceed.
- Saudi Arabia's lawyer argued that core factual issues regarding Bayoumi's employment and actions must be decided before stripping immunity.
- The panel of judges took the case under advisement and will issue a ruling at a future date.