Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subjects: LAW, FOR

American Prisoners Of War Abducted, Tortured And Executed By The Islamic State Of Iraq Seek Justice From Syria


WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The estates and surviving family members of U.S. Army prisoners of war Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Alex R. Jimenez and Specialist Byron W. Fouty have sued the Syrian Arab Republic, Syrian Military Intelligence and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.  The Complaint, filed today, alleges that Syria provided material support and sponsorship to the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which enabled the terrorist organization to capture, torture and execute the men in the area of Iraq known as the "Triangle of Death."

The remains of SSgt Fouty and SPC Jimenez are buried side by side at the Arlington National Cemetery.

The Complaint alleges that ISI, then under the leadership of Abu Ayyub al-Masri, kidnapped the men while manning an observation post, held them in captivity, tortured them, and the executed them, which replicated other atrocities committed on U.S. servicemen in Iraq.  ISI claimed responsibility for the killings in video and online broadcasts.  An ISI prisoner later led U.S. forces to their bodies, which were identified by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner using DNA technology.   Many U.S. citizens were killed or injured in attacks carried out in Iraq by groups supported by the government of Syria, and its support was never withdrawn.

The plaintiffs are represented by Ron Jenkins of Meridian 361 International Law Group, PLLC and Steve Perles of the Perles Law Firm, PC. They have represented terror victims in numerous lawsuits against foreign state sponsors of terrorism brought under federal legislation that waives foreign sovereign immunity for certain states that have provided material support or sponsorship to terrorist organizations. 

Last year, the legal team obtained a judgment against Syria for the kidnapping, torture and execution of two other U.S. Army prisoners of war, SSgt Matt Maupin and Private First Class Kristian Menchaca, by al-Qaeda in Iraq under the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Syria was held responsible for the assassination of U.S. diplomat Laurence Foley by Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in Amman, Jordan in 2002 in the same case.  The Court stated poignantly in its judgment: "Plaintiffs state that they 'would like to use this proceeding to send out a very clear message of deterrence' to those 'who are contemplating funding or otherwise material[ly] supporting terrorist organizations that would murder United States citizens, particularly United States citizens who are killed in service to the United States.' The Court hopes that Plaintiffs find some solace in that purpose."

Litigation against state sponsors of terrorist organizations is an important part of the struggle against international terrorism.  Without the safe haven, equipment, financial resources and travel mobility provided by state sponsors, terrorist organizations cannot operate as effectively.  Syria has been included on the official list of state sponsors of terrorism maintained by the U.S. State Department longer than any other State.    

 

SOURCE Meridian 361 International Law Group, PLLC


These press releases may also interest you

at 07:29
In a strategic move to address the growing talent shortage in the global construction equipment industry, XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425, "XCMG") has launched an extensive cross-training program for its employees from XCMG Global Business Headquarters....

at 07:05
Syngenta Group today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. Syngenta Group sales for full year 2023 were $32.2 billion, down $1.2 billion or 4 percent year-on-year (-1% CER). Full year EBITDA decreased 18 percent...

at 07:00
Scrum Ventures, a San Francisco and Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital firm, announced that NBA Champion and entrepreneur Kyle Kuzma, will join the fund as an advisor....

at 07:00
Operation HOPE announced today that "FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL," the latest book by its Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, has reached #1 on Amazon for Economics, prior to its April 16, 2024 release. From the best-selling author of "Up from Nothing,"...

at 06:37
According to a Department of Justice press release, a South Carolina man was recently sentenced to serve time in federal prison after a criminal tax conviction. This story should serve as a reminder that the consequences of intentionally dodging tax...

at 06:17
NEI Global Relocation's latest whitepaper, "2024 Relocation Trends | Manufacturing," provides a compelling look into how innovative relocation strategies are crucial for the manufacturing sector's talent acquisition and retention efforts. This comes...



News published on and distributed by: