Saudi Arabia can now be sued by families of 9/11 victims, as a federal judge makes the decision permissible.

In a historic ruling on March 9, 2023, U.S. District Judge George Daniels has given the green light for a civil lawsuit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to move forward, marking the first time a federal court has opened the door to testing the families' case against the kingdom in relation to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The lawsuit, initially filed in 2003, alleges that Saudi Arabia sponsored, aided, and supported the al-Qaeda hijackers. The families can now move forward with evidence collection and, they hope, depositions of Saudi officials.

At the heart of the case are two key individuals: Fahad al-Thumairy and Omar al-Bayoumi. Thumairy was assigned to serve as imam of a Los Angeles mosque in 1998 and received significant funds from a senior member of the Saudi cabinet, which he claimed were for mosque expenses. About a month after meeting Thumairy, the two hijackers met Bayoumi, who helped them find an apartment in San Diego.

Authorities found a handwritten sketch of an airplane, numbers, calculations, and notes on a notepad seized from Bayoumi, which they believe could be related to the Sept. 11 attacks. Bayoumi was sent by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to San Diego in 1994, allegedly for educational purposes, but the plaintiffs claim he was co-opted by Saudi intelligence.

The plaintiffs allege that the Saudi government engaged Thumairy and Bayoumi to carry out covert activities in the U.S. that provided material support and assistance to the hijackers. The ruling allows the civil lawsuit against the kingdom to proceed, despite Saudi Arabia's attorneys attempting to dismiss the claims citing sovereign immunity from civil litigation in American courts.

Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, a coalition of 9/11 families, celebrated the judge's decision, stating they now have the chance to pursue accountability, justice, and closure. Eagleson lost his father in the 9/11 attacks and stated they have never recovered him, not even a trace. The families of 9/11 victims consider the judge's decision a significant step in two decades of litigation.

The ruling marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into potential Saudi Arabian involvement in the September 11 attacks. The families are prepared to present even more evidence showing that Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. The case is set to continue, with the families and the Saudi government set to present their arguments in court.

Saudi Arabia can now be sued by families of 9/11 victims, as a federal judge makes the decision permissible.