State Dept. declares Egypt’s ex-prime minister immune from torture lawsuit by U.S. citizen after reported protest from Cairo
The Washington Post quoted Eric Lewis on the State Department's assertion that a former Egyptian leader now serving on the executive board of the International Monetary Fund should be immune from a federal lawsuit brought by a U.S. citizen seeking to hold him liable for torture.
Soltan lead attorney Eric L. Lewis called the State Department document “highly unusual.” Beblawi had claimed immunity on several grounds but never before on the basis of being IMF principal resident representative, Lewis said, adding that it appeared the department retroactively recognized Beblawi at Egypt’s demand.
“We are investigating the circumstances here and whether this was some retroactive designation to try to prevent his accountability in Court,” Lewis said. “We will continue to fight for justice.”