In a significant development, a federal judge has denied Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the families of 9/11 victims.
The families have long held the belief that Saudi Arabia provided support to the terrorists who orchestrated the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a claim that Saudi Arabia has consistently denied.
According to the Western Journal, the families are seeking to sue Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. This legislation, enacted in 2016, enables the families to take legal action against the Saudis.
While this ruling does not conclude the case, it does enhance the likelihood of the lawsuit proceeding to trial, unless the Saudis manage to win an appeal or reach a settlement with the families.
Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, an organization comprised of 9/11 families, expressed his sentiments following the ruling. Nearly a quarter-century after we lost our loved ones, Judge Daniels ruling gives us the chance to finally pursue accountability, justice, and closure in their memory, Eagleson stated.
He further added, We have presented overwhelming evidence that the Kingdom is complicit in the 9/11 attacks, and a federal judge agrees. Now, we are prepared to present even more evidence showing that Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans.
Eagleson described the ruling as the most consequential step yet in establishing the Saudi connection to the attacks.
In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge George Daniels pointed to evidence provided by the families concerning Omar al-Bayoumi. Daniels stated that al-Bayoumi seemed to serve as a connecting point between the hijackers and many other people who had provided assistance to the hijackers at one point or another.
The judge further noted that al-Bayoumi's actions were inconsistent with his official employment title as an accountant, suggesting a deeper involvement in the preparation for the terrorist attack than a typical accountant or data processing technician would have.
Judge Daniels also highlighted that al-Bayoumi's involvement appears to bear some connection with his employment by the Saudis. He dismissed the Saudis' attempt to downplay the families evidence, stating, Although KSA attempts to offer seemingly innocent explanations or context, they are either self-contradictory or not strong enough to overcome the inference that KSA had employed Bayoumi and Thumairy to assist the hijackers.
The ruling also traced the history of the case, noting that the Saudis sent Bayoumi to San Diego in 1994 and Fahad al-Thumairy to Los Angeles in 1998. Thumairy, the imam of an L.A. mosque, received significant amounts of money from the Saudis and later met with two 9/11 hijackers in 2000. Bayoumi, on the other hand, assisted the hijackers in finding an apartment.
This ruling marks a significant step forward for the families of the 9/11 victims in their pursuit of justice and accountability. It also raises serious questions about Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks, further straining the already complex relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
As the case continues, the world will be watching closely to see how it unfolds and what implications it may have on international relations and the fight against terrorism.
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