A federal judge in New York denied Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 9/11 victims’ families. The ruling allows their case to proceed to trial. Families described the decision as a victory after years of efforts to hold the kingdom accountable.
The decision continues a legal fight that has faced dismissals and appeals. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in 2016, allowing families to sue foreign governments accused of supporting terror attacks on U.S. soil. The law overturned longstanding sovereign immunity protections.
Plaintiffs presented newly unsealed evidence in court. They included a home video of Saudi national Omar al-Bayoumi allegedly scouting U.S. targets and assisting two hijackers. Families argue this evidence supports claims of Saudi involvement despite limited official cooperation.
“What we’ve uncovered with no help from our FBI and no help from our own government is that they had a significant amount of help and that help came in the form of the Saudi government,” alleged Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice.
The case centers on allegations that Saudi officials supported hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, two of the terrorists who attacked the Pentagon. Plaintiffs’ lawyers described the proceedings as navigating through a “labyrinth.” Saudi Arabia won dismissal in 2015. A federal appeals court later overturned the decision.
Families filed a class action lawsuit alleging Saudi Arabia knowingly provided material support to al Qaeda, partly through state-run charities and personnel. Court filings accuse Omar Ahmad Mustafa Al-Baioomi and Osama Yousef Basnan of assisting hijackers when they arrived in the United States.
For years, U.S. courts upheld Saudi sovereign immunity and excluded top officials as defendants. A 2014 Supreme Court ruling and the 2016 legislation changed that. Plaintiffs argue Saudi-linked charities funneled money to al Qaeda. Whether the Saudi government directly authorized this remains disputed.
Saudi officials deny any role in the attacks. They said their nationals’ contact with hijackers reflected customary hospitality. The case is expected to proceed to trial. It could reveal alleged connections between Saudi officials and the 9/11 conspirators.