United States DC Circuit

In a suit under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, plaintiffs failed to state a claim for hostage-taking adequate to abrogate sovereign immunity and establish jurisdiction, and allegations of a torture claim did not trigger statutory exceptions to foreign sovereign immunity; Libya is not a "person" within the meaning of the Due Process Clause.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/08/2002
• Decided 06/28/2002
• Published 06/28/2002

Judges

• Before:  EDWARDS and SENTELLE, Circuit Judges, and SILBERMAN, Senior Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Arman Dabiri argued the cause and filed the briefs for appellant., Michael L. Martinez argued the cause for amicus curiae Blake Kilburn on his behalf and as administrator of the estate of Peter Kilburn.   With him on the brief was Stuart H. Newberger.


• For Appellees:
  
• James Cooper-Hill argued the cause for appellees.   With him on the brief were Andrew C. Hall and Nelson M. Jones III.