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Family of journalist Steven Sotloff sues Syria in US court over Isis beheading Family of journalist Steven Sotloff sues Syria in US court over Isis beheading
(35 minutes later)
The family of journalist Steven Sotloff is suing Syria in US court, claiming the government of President Bashar al-Assad provided support to Islamic State militants who carried out the gruesome beheading. The family of journalist Steven Sotloff is suing Syria in US court, claiming the government of President Bashar al-Assad provided support to Islamic State militants who carried out the beheading.
The lawsuit filed on Monday in federal court in Washington seeks $90m in compensatory damages plus up to three times that in punitive damages from Syria for Sotloff’s 2014 killing. It’s far from certain, however, that Sotloff’s South Florida-based family would be able to collect money from a foreign government if they win the case. The lawsuit filed on Monday in federal court in Washington seeks $90m in compensatory damages plus up to three times that in punitive damages from Syria for Sotloff’s 2014 killing. It is far from certain, however, that Sotloff’s south Florida-based family would be able to collect money from a foreign government if they win the case.
Sotloff was kidnapped in August 2013 after crossing into Syria from Turkey, according to the lawsuit. He was killed on 2 September 2014, and a video was distributed around the world documenting his death. Another American journalist, James Foley, had been killed a month earlier by the Islamic State.Sotloff was kidnapped in August 2013 after crossing into Syria from Turkey, according to the lawsuit. He was killed on 2 September 2014, and a video was distributed around the world documenting his death. Another American journalist, James Foley, had been killed a month earlier by the Islamic State.
The Sotloff lawsuit contends that Syria – designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the US – is liable because it provided financial, material and military support to the Islamic State. It says Syria, even as a sovereign entity, can be sued in federal court as a provider of that support. The Sotloff lawsuit contends that Syria – designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the US – is liable because it provided financial, material and military support to Isis. It says Syria, even as a sovereign entity, can be sued in federal court as a provider of that support.
“Syria’s material support for [the Islamic State] caused the abduction and murder of Steven Sotloff,” the lawsuit says. “Syria’s material support for [Isis] caused the abduction and murder of Steven Sotloff,” the lawsuit says.
Sotloff, 31, was a Miami native who reported from a number of Middle Eastern countries for publications such as Time, the Christian Science Monitor and Foreign Policy magazine. Before his kidnapping, family and friends have said he was planning to go to Aleppo, Syria, to report on the city’s humanitarian crisis.Sotloff, 31, was a Miami native who reported from a number of Middle Eastern countries for publications such as Time, the Christian Science Monitor and Foreign Policy magazine. Before his kidnapping, family and friends have said he was planning to go to Aleppo, Syria, to report on the city’s humanitarian crisis.
“Steven covered the civil wars in Libya and Syria because he cared deeply about the people of those countries,” the lawsuit says.“Steven covered the civil wars in Libya and Syria because he cared deeply about the people of those countries,” the lawsuit says.
Syria has not yet answered the lawsuit. It has previously been sued for terrorism-related claims in US courts, as have countries such as Iran and Cuba. Although sometimes these cases lead to huge damage awards, lawyers have often found it difficult to track down assets that can be seized to satisfy a US judgment.Syria has not yet answered the lawsuit. It has previously been sued for terrorism-related claims in US courts, as have countries such as Iran and Cuba. Although sometimes these cases lead to huge damage awards, lawyers have often found it difficult to track down assets that can be seized to satisfy a US judgment.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sotloff’s father, mother and sister. Their attorney declined on Tuesday to discuss details of the lawsuit.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sotloff’s father, mother and sister. Their attorney declined on Tuesday to discuss details of the lawsuit.