Banking Association Responds to New York Judge’s Decision: Our Banks Confirm Plaintiffs’ Claims are False

The Lebanese Association of Banks announced in a statement: “The New York State Sole Civil Judge issued a preliminary decision on 11/25/2020 regarding the claim of some of the heirs of the US military victims. Who were killed or injured in Iraq (known as the Bartlett case in honor of one of the plaintiffs), which alleged In it, they say that several clients of the twelve accused Lebanese banks have helped Hezbollah financially through their accounts in these banks, and that the party contributed to the losses or damages suffered by the plaintiff, always according to the plaintiff’s allegations.

The aforementioned judge declared the preliminary authority of the court to hear the case on the basis of secondary liability, if any of its elements after rejecting in favor of the banks the basis of primary liability, and added that the defendant banks may request the suspension of the execution of this preliminary decision of the authority, pending the decisions issued by the Court of Appeals of New York. In similar cases, which are expected to be issued during the year 2021. It should be noted that the initial judgment issued is related only to the authority of the court to consider the case that did not address the consideration of the basis of the dispute.

The accused Lebanese banks come back and confirm that the plaintiffs’ accusations completely lack validity and credibility, and are false and unrealistic. It also affirms its commitment to the global and local legal regulations in force in the fight against money laundering and terrorism.

Likewise, the bogus and null defendant banks will continue through their attorneys in the United States of America to defend their rights and legitimate dealings, dismiss the claims and refute the false allegations of the plaintiffs.