9/11 victims suing Saudi Arabia: report

A collection of more than 800 people hurt by the 9/11 terrorism attacks have filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia for its role in the incident.

The lawsuit includes people injured on Sept. 11, 2001, and those whose family members were killed in the attack, BuzzFeed said Monday.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in the federal court covering lower Manhattan.

{mosads}The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages from the Saudi Arabian government, it continued, which they accuse of providing funds and support to al Qaeda.

The lawsuit also accuses Saudi Arabia’s government of knowing that at least three of the 9/11 hijackers had ties to al Qaeda, BuzzFeed added.

“Saudi Arabia was duplicitous,” the suit said, noting its government did not notify the U.S. that the trio had passports marked with a secret indicator highlighting their al Qaeda ties.

“It presented a public face to the United States and other Western countries of a nation fighting al Qaeda and terrorism while at the same time, as detailed herein, Saudi government actors gave al Qaeda substantial material support and resources.”

Monday’s suit additionally argues the 9/11 attacks could not have occurred without Saudi involvement.

“As a result, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is liable to plaintiffs for all damages resulting in the injuries and deaths in September 11^th Attacks,” the suit said.

The legal action took years of work and the involvement of Congress before its materialization on Monday.

Former President Obama vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) last September, arguing it would undermine sovereign immunity. 

JASTA allows U.S. citizens to sue nations like Saudi Arabia in American courts even if they lack a state sponsor of terror designation.

Obama charged that the measure could produce reciprocal legislation overseas, exposing U.S. diplomats and military service members to similar legal action.

The Senate ultimately overrode Obama’s veto last September in an overwhelming 97-1 vote.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in the 9/11 attacks came from Saudi Arabia, inspiring victims and their families to seek legal restitution from the foreign nation.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks killed 2,977 — and the 19 airplane hijackers — while injuring more than 6,000 others.