| | ASX: Class actions | | |
(14/09/2007) |
A class action has been filed against AWB Limited and AWB (USA) Limited in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York by lawyers for Iraqi citizens, Saadya Mastafa and Kafia Ismail, on behalf of a class comprising victims of crimes perpetrated by the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq from 1996 to 2003 or their surviving immediate family members.
The action, which also names BNP Paribas as a defendant, alleges that the defendants contributed to the injuries and damages sustained by the plaintiffs by giving substantial assistance to the Saddam regime, contrary to the “law of nations” and the US Alien Tort Claims Act. The damages alleged to have been suffered by the plaintiffs are unspecified. The action has not yet been served on AWB.
If this claim is served, AWB will vigorously defend its position.
Separately, AWB has lodged with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York a Motion to Dismiss the Boyd class action against AWB by a group of US wheat growers. It will also shortly lodge a Motion to Dismiss the Karim class action being against AWB and BNP Paribas by plaintiffs who are allegedly residents of the 3 northern governorates of Iraq.
AWB has also lodged its Defence against the Watson action against AWB in the Federal Court of Australia, in which the plaintiffs are claiming damages for alleged non-disclosure of material information. This action will also continue to be vigorously defended.
Media enquiries, contact:
Peter McBride
Media Relations Manager
Tel: (03) 9209 2174
Mob: 0417 662 451
Analyst enquiries, contact:
Davina Gunn
Investor Relations Manager
Tel: (03) 9209 2651
Mob: 0400 896 809
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