US Court Rules $3.5 Billion in Afghan Assets Belong to People, Not Taliban

A New York federal court has made a landmark decision, ruling that $3.5 billion in assets belonging to Afghanistan’s central bank should be preserved solely for the benefit of the Afghan people, rather than seized to satisfy court judgments obtained against the Taliban.

The Background

The case involved Open Society Justice Initiative intervening on behalf of the Afghan people, arguing that the funds belonged to them and not the Taliban. The organization contended that seizing the assets would be an unjust and inappropriate solution to the issue.

The Court’s Ruling

The court held that victims of the 9/11 attacks are entitled to compensation, but cannot collect it from the assets of Afghanistan’s central bank. Instead, the Taliban is responsible for paying any liabilities arising from its actions on September 11, 2001.

• The court recognized that the Taliban is accountable for the attacks, not the Afghan people.
• The decision ensures that the assets of Afghanistan are not targeted unfairly and upholds accountability for the Taliban in a way that is consistent with US law.

Reaction to the Decision

The Open Society Justice Initiative welcomed the decision, stating that it recognizes that the Taliban is accountable for the attacks, not the Afghan people. Natasha Arnpriester, a lawyer with the organization, commented:

“This judgment rightly acknowledges that the Taliban is responsible for the heinous attacks of 9/11, not the Afghan people. It ensures that the assets of Afghanistan are not targeted unfairly and upholds accountability for the Taliban in a way that is consistent with US law.”