July 18, 2007: Suing Terrorists - Hurray for Mariane Pearl

She is not the first to do it, but Mariane Pearl is to be applauded for suing the terrorists and their bank enablers who murdered her husband Daniel.

Of course it's not likely that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Omar will care much about this or have much of net worth to fork over (although... who knows?), but the banks definitely have something to be afraid of. The suit "seeks an unspecified amount of money, whatever the court 'deems appropriate', to prevent the defendants from committing similar acts."

I don't know how much the Habib Bank has in the US per se (this is a New York court), but the international system now seems to be working together on this.

Go, Mariane! (and lawyers)

Comments

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Attacking the bank is the way to go, striking the Salafists where they're most vulnerable: the wads of cash they get from their Gulf backers. Even if the bank has no US assets that can be seized, a judgment should enable/encourage Treasury to sanction them, making it hard for them to make money. US financial sanctions carry huge weight -- ask Iranian banks.

Posted by: Anthony (Los Angeles) at July 18, 2007 3:15 PM

Is this fair? Why should we expect the banks to know about the possible illegal activities of all their clients? This simply does not sound right. Can anyone explain why the banks can be held liable?

Posted by: David Thomson at July 18, 2007 3:27 PM

Domestic banks have a pretty hefty anti-money-laundering mandate to maintain. During my five miserable years at one of them, there was annual training for everybody to take.

Posted by: Captain Hate at July 18, 2007 4:36 PM

Cry havoc... and loose the law-dogs of war!

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at July 18, 2007 4:37 PM

What a great idea. Good for her. Hit the buggers where it hurts, their wallets.

Posted by: Dick Stanley at July 18, 2007 7:37 PM

I have been reading much of Daniel Pearl's pieces. He was a true, and fearless man. My
heart goes out to Mariane Pearl. I hope she is
successful in her lawsuit. Bank in Pakistan!?
I know quagmire is an overused word, but in
this case it's applicable. Best wishes, Mariane.
Dennis

Posted by: DWATTS at August 9, 2007 1:04 PM

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