Decades-old videos of Saudi national may tip 9/11 lawsuit toward liability
Victims' families will present two hidden videos of Omar al-Bayoumi to argue Saudi government responsibility for the 9/11 attacks at a Second Circuit hearing.
Approximately 10,000 relatives of 9/11 victims are set to rely on two decades-old videos to persuade a Second Circuit Court of Appeals panel that Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for the attacks. The recordings feature Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi citizen who helped house two Flight 77 hijackers, first filming the U.S. Capitol in 1999 and later hosting a “welcome party” for the hijackers in a San Diego apartment in 2000. Plaintiffs contend the videos demonstrate Bayoumi’s foreknowledge, his connections to senior Saudi officials, and that he was effectively “casing” a potential target.
Expert testimony highlighted Arabic remarks that resemble terror-planning language, and a seized notebook allegedly containing flight calculations adds to the evidence. Saudi authorities have denied any involvement, and the videos were only unsealed in 2024 after being held by British authorities. The oral arguments are scheduled for Oct. 7, potentially shaping the long-running litigation against the Saudi government.
Why it matters
The evidence could finally hold a powerful ally accountable for the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
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