Sept. 11 Victims’ Lawsuit Against Saudi Government Can Go to Trial, Judge Rules (www.propublica.org)
from RandAlThor@lemmy.ca to world@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 15:17
https://lemmy.ca/post/50759725

More than two decades after victims of the 9/11 attacks began trying to hold the government of Saudi Arabia responsible for helping the Qaida terrorists who carried out the plot, a federal judge has ruled that a civil lawsuit against the kingdom can go to trial.

Despite the efforts of a small group of FBI agents to pursue the case, it was eventually closed by the bureau. The civil lawsuit nearly died in 2016, when President Barack Obama vetoed legislation to carve out an exception to the sovereign immunity of foreign governments and permit the families to sue the Saudi kingdom. Congress overrode that veto, however, allowing the suit to go forward.

President Donald Trump later blocked the families from obtaining classified government documents on the 9/11 investigations, claiming they were state secrets. President Joe Biden later reversed that stance and declassified documents that included reporting confirming that Bayoumi was a part-time agent of the Saudi intelligence service.

#world

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LadyButterfly@reddthat.com on 31 Aug 16:13 next collapse

This could be interesting but I don’t know enough to comment

HowRu68@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 16:33 next collapse

Yea. I know about 9/11 and of Al Quaida ofc… Anyone (an USA Lemmian) care to provide some context?

LadyButterfly@reddthat.com on 31 Aug 16:36 next collapse

Might be one for !nostupidquestions@lemmy.world

FerretyFever0@fedia.io on 31 Aug 16:44 next collapse

Most of the Al Qaeda members involved in 9/11 were Saudi, including bin Laden. There's apparently some evidence that some members of the royal family donated to the group. After looking it up, it doesn't seem to have been talked about too much, which kind of makes sense, I wouldn't want to piss off the Saudi government either.

Mediocre_Bard@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 18:48 collapse

You know how the US invaded Iraq as a response to 9/11? We knew it was the Saudis the entire time. We just needed a war.

LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 18:58 collapse

It looks like his words on the topic were focused around the preservation of hardware and the “protection” of U.S. officials do to the known fact that U.S. troops do perform tasks that fall outside legal realms. (Whether under order or not). He focused on saying that it opens the door for private entities to investigate the U.S.'s actions abroad which could fracture the Governments ability to sweep shit under the rug. To me it seems to say, if someone does something horrific, whether they were ordered to or not, the governing bodies of the 2 countries can negotiate a resolution that they think is best for their countries regardless of whom was hurt and the direct effects of individuals who were effected.

Like if the U.S. does a missile strike on Iran supposively aiding Israel, and Iran strikes the U.S. military outposts in the area back, the governments can decide it was tit for tat or some shit, not caring about the individuals murdered in the process, as it helps them long term. Allowing this to go through would in theory allow countries like Iran to use apply similar exceptions so the families/friends/companies could go to their court without reguard of their government and if a bases is found they could launch an investigation. Which ultimately if it was in our government, a lower court would find it legally viable to investigate, and as it went up the appeals courts would get pressure until it was shut down, showing the corruption that justice doesn’t occur for individuals, but rather just protects the whole or just the government officials involved.

…archives.gov/…/veto-message-president-s2040

the_crotch@sh.itjust.works on 31 Aug 17:05 next collapse

The civil lawsuit nearly died in 2016, when President Barack Obama vetoed legislation to carve out an exception to the sovereign immunity of foreign governments and permit the families to sue the Saudi kingdom. Congress overrode that veto, however, allowing the suit to go forward.

Add this to the list of horrifically evil shit Obama did

HowRu68@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 18:44 collapse

That’s all very suspicious behaviour. First the whole Bush Sr admin kill Al Quaida thing, you’re either with me or against me, iirc.Then, Obama admin. torpedoes the legislature process of civilians.

FenrirIII@lemmy.world on 02 Sep 01:28 collapse

It’s almost like the government is there to protect the rich.

mnhs1@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 17:12 collapse

Great can we also take the innocents killed in Afghanistan and Iraq to trial? Why is it that pathetic American soldiers fight a war with the best tech and weapons, and somehow still feel like they’re the sad little victim that suffered.

FerretyFever0@fedia.io on 31 Aug 17:23 collapse

The soldiers aren't the ones suing. The family of the ones killed in 9/11 are. I would welcome a lawsuit against the US for those wars.