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Miller & Chevalier's Litigation team is at the forefront of holding terrorist nations such as Iran and Syria accountable for their atrocities against U.S. citizens. The firm represents victims of torture and state-sponsored terrorism and files suit in U.S. federal court to hold such countries accountable for their crimes. These suits are filed under the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). Judgments obtained in these cases are submitted to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund, which provides monetary compensation to victims and their families.
Miller & Chevalier has brought five cases on behalf of victims and their families. Two of those cases resulted in a total of approximately $86 million in judgments, and the three other cases are pending in federal court.
Representative Engagements
- Azadeh v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 1:16-cv-01467-KBJ (D.D.C.). Afsaneh Azadeh was imprisoned and tortured for months by the Iranian regime in 2012. Miller & Chevalier sued Iran in U.S. district court and, in September 2018, obtained a judgment of over $36 million, including over $18 million in compensatory damages. The firm enforced the judgment by seeking compensation from the USVSST Fund which has made several payments to our client.
- Dawes v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:21-cv-02730-RC (D.D.C.). Kevin Dawes was illegally arrested by the Syrian regime imprisoned and tortured for almost four years. Miller & Chevalier sued Syria in U.S. district court. In October 2023, the court issued a judgment of approximately $50 million, including almost $25 million in compensatory damages. Mr. Dawes will begin receiving payments to satisfy the judgment in January 2025.
- Goodwin v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:23-cv-00267-CKK (D.D.C.). Sam Goodwin was abducted by the Syrian regime and held for over two months in a notorious Syrian prison. Miller & Chevalier sued Syria, which failed to appear to defend the suit. A motion to obtain a default judgment against the Syrian regime is pending with a federal judge.
- Ghodstinat et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 1:23-cv-03175-CRC (D.D.C.). Alireza Bijan Ghodstinat and Fred Fraidon Korangy were illegally arrested, falsely accused, and imprisoned by the Iranian regime and illegally detained in Iran for two years before they escaped. Mr. Ghodstinat and Mr. Korangy were held in Evin Prison, a notorious political prison, where they were tortured and abused. Miller & Chevalier filed suit and default was recently entered against Iran.
- Estate of Majd Kamalmaz v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:2024-cv-02136 (D.D.C.). Majd Kamalmaz was a psychiatrist who dedicated his career to counseling those who suffer from the psychological effects of war. When he traveled to Syria to visit a sick family member and set up a clinic to treat those affected by the armed conflict in Syria, he was kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the Syrian regime. Miller & Chevalier filed suit on behalf of Mr. Kamalmaz's family members and heirs in July 2024.