Story perspectives

Judge Lets 9/11 Lawsuit Against Saudi Proceed to Appeal

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Terry Strada, leader of 9/11 families, urged Saudi Arabia to accept liability at the 25th-anniversary ceremony.
U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels denied Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit in August 2025.
A Second Circuit Court of Appeals panel will hear the case on Oct. 7, 2026.
Newly released records include a video of a Saudi agent scouting the U.S. Capitol and a plane-target calculation sketch.

History

Historical Context

In 1993, the U.S. Justice Department sued Saudi Arabia over the World Trade Center bombing, a case dismissed by a federal judge in 1995. The complaint demanded $1.5 billion, citing twelve Saudi officials identified by the Department of State as having supported extremist networks. Today, 9/11 families, led by Terry Strada, confront Saudi Arabia again, with Judge George B. Daniels rejecting a dismissal motion in August 2025. The precedent foresees the Second Circuit hearing extensive evidence on Oct. 7, 2026, potentially compelling Saudi Arabia toward a settlement before further litigation.

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Story summary

Terry Strada, leader of 9/11 families, urged Saudi Arabia to accept liability at the 25th-anniversary ceremony.
U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels denied Saudi Arabia’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit in August 2025.
A Second Circuit Court of Appeals panel will hear the case on Oct. 7, 2026.
Newly released records include a video of a Saudi agent scouting the U.S. Capitol and a plane-target calculation sketch.

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