WASHINGTON – The United States Supreme Court ruled in favour yesterday of three Muslim men who sought to sue the FBI over either being placed on or kept on the federal government’s no-fly list, Anadolu Agency reported.
The men said they were being penalised by federal investigators for refusing to inform on their fellow co-religionists during terrorism probes.
In a unanimous opinion authored by justice Clarence Thomas, the top court said Jameel Algibhah, Naveed Shinwari and Muhammad Tanvir may now seek monetary compensation under US laws guaranteeing religious freedom.
Thomas wrote that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act’s “express remedies provision permits litigants, when appropriate, to obtain money damages against federal officials in their individual capacities”.
Newly-confirmed justice Amy Coney Barrett did not partake in the unanimous ruling.
While the men may now seek damages, it is unclear if they will succeed in doing so. Thomas noted the fact, saying FBI agents are entitled to invoke what is known as qualified immunity.
The legal principle sets a very high bar for law enforcement officers to be sued for actions taken on the job. It has been a flashpoint of criticism following the shootings of black men and women by police.
All three of the men have been removed from the no-fly list. – Bernama, December 11, 2020
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