On Wednesday, a federal appeals courtroom in New York City was filled with more than 100 relatives of the September 11, 2001 victims. The audience watched three appellate judges question attorneys from both the plaintiffs and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia about the future of the long‑running lawsuit.
Judges probe key legal questions
The judges made clear that numerous legal issues remain unsettled, even though the case has persisted for nearly a quarter‑century. Their inquiries focused on whether the plaintiffs’ claims can proceed to trial and whether Saudi Arabia can be dismissed from the suit on sovereign‑immunity grounds.
“The judges asked really meaningful questions and hammered the Saudi attorneys and didn’t let up,” said Terry Strada, whose husband Tom Strada died in the attacks. “It really was a good day for us.”
Claims against Saudi Arabia
Victims’ families, injured survivors, insurance companies and businesses allege that employees of the Saudi government directly and knowingly assisted the hijackers and helped fund al‑Qaida through charitable organizations. The plaintiffs contend that the Kingdom provided aid to at least two of the 19 hijackers.
Saudi officials counter that the United States and Saudi Arabia were partners in the 1990s in the fight against terrorism, al‑Qaida and its founder, Osama bin Laden. While 15 of the 19 attackers were Saudi nationals, the Saudi government has consistently denied involvement in the attacks.
Legal backdrop
The appeal follows an August 2025 decision by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels, who allowed the case to continue in federal court without ruling on the merits. Some defendants in related terrorism cases, including Iran, the Taliban and al‑Qaida, have already been found in default.
During the hearing, the appellate judges repeatedly questioned both sides, indicating uncertainty about how to apply sovereign‑immunity principles to a foreign nation accused of supporting terrorism. The judges did not provide a timeline for a ruling on whether the claims can proceed to trial.
What’s next?
Both parties will continue to prepare their arguments as the court works toward a decision. The outcome could shape how U.S. courts handle future lawsuits that seek to hold foreign governments accountable for alleged support of terrorist activities.
For the families gathered in the courtroom, the judges’ engagement offered a measure of hope that the legal process will move forward, even as the case remains complex and unresolved.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
