Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc.

In May 2007,  the national American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Northern California filed suit in federal court against Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc., a subsidiary of the Boeing Company, charging that Jeppesen knowingly provided logistical services that aid the CIA’s “extraordinary rendition” program.

“Extraordinary rendition” involves the kidnapping of alleged terror suspects and then transporting them to detention and interrogation facilities in countries such as Egypt, Afghanistan, and Morocco where, according to the U.S. State Department and other sources, the use of torture is “routine.”  In some instances, suspects are sent to U.S.-run interrogation facilities in Afghanistan, as well.

The suit charged that Jeppesen knowingly provided logistical services to the CIA in connection with the clandestine flights that took our five clients to secret overseas locations where they were subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. These actions violate the Alien Tort Statute, which permits non-U.S. nationals to sue in American courts for violations of the law of nations or a United States treaty.

The government moved to dismiss the case, arguing that litigation involving the program will harm national security by revealing “state secrets.”  On Dec. 14, 2007, we filed our opposition to the motion, pointing out the wealth of detailed information about the rendition program that is already in the public domain, including a sworn statement by a former Jeppesen employee that shows that Jeppesen knew that it was helping with “torture flights.” The court heard arguments on the govenment's motion to dismiss the case on Feb. 5, 2008, and granted the motion Feb. 13.  The ACLU is appealing the decision to the Ninth Circuit.

"Extraordinary rendition should be condemned, not seen as a source of corporate profit. Corporations that choose to participate in such illegal and egregious actions can and should be held accountable."

- Maya Harris, ACLU-NC Executive Director

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Order Granting the US’ Motion to Intervene and Granting the US’ Motion to Dismiss (Feb. 13, 2008)

Memo in Opposition to US' Motion to Dismiss or, in the Alternative, for Summary Judgment (Dec. 14, 2007)

Sean Belcher Declaration (Dec. 14, 2007)

First Amended Complaint (Aug. 1, 2007)

Evidence: Jeppesen Invoice for Services (Jan. 2, 2002)