"A federal jury in New York has issued a nearly $21 million verdict against France's largest bank for giving the Sudanese government access to the U.S. financial system as it engaged in atrocities two decades ago. The woman and two men who obtained the verdict against BNP Paribas S.A. are U.S. citizens who left Sudan after being displaced, losing their homes and property."
"In an Aug. 28 pretrial memo, the plaintiffs argued BNP Paribas helped the Sudanese government "carry out one of the most notorious campaigns of persecution in modern history." "They're very gratified that steps on the road toward justice are being achieved, and they're happy that the bank is being held responsible for its abhorrent conduct," their lawyer, Adam Levitt, said Saturday."
"A spokesperson for BNP Paribas said in an email the result "is clearly wrong and there are very strong grounds to appeal the verdict" and that the bank had not been allowed to introduce important evidence. The bank argued Sudan had other sources of money and that the company did not knowingly help the government engage in human rights abuses under former President Omar al-Bashir."
A federal jury awarded nearly $21 million against BNP Paribas for giving Sudanese authorities access to the U.S. financial system from at least 2002 to 2008 while atrocities occurred. Three U.S. citizens displaced from Sudan received between $6.7 million and $7.3 million each after jurors deliberated about four hours. Plaintiffs said the bank helped the Sudanese government carry out a notorious campaign of persecution. BNP Paribas said the verdict is wrong, intends to appeal, and argued it did not knowingly assist abuses and that Sudan had other revenue sources. The litigation relates to widespread violence including massive Darfur casualties.
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