MTN, Africa's largest mobile provider, is set to proceed with two antiterrorism cases in the US, specifically the Zobay and Long cases in the district of New York. The company stated that the rulings are procedural and do not imply any wrongdoing or liability. These cases have been ongoing for over five years, initiated by the families of over 200 US soldiers killed or wounded in Afghanistan. The families claim MTN paid protection money to the Taliban and aided its fighters in evading detection.
The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York recently denied MTN's requests to reconsider or permit an immediate appeal of its earlier decision allowing certain claims under the US Anti-Terrorism Act in Zobay v. MTN Group Limited to proceed. This decision means the cases will now move to the discovery phase, where parties exchange information in their possession. After this phase, the parties can submit summary judgment motions or proceed with the case.
The discovery phase is a critical stage in the litigation process, as it allows both parties to produce and solicit evidence to support or refute the allegations. MTN will have the opportunity to disprove the plaintiffs' allegations for the first time. The company stated that it will continue to defend itself in court and explore all available legal options.
MTN faces a total of five antiterrorism cases in the US, with the remaining three cases – Cabrera, Chand, and Davis – pending in the district of Columbia. The company has been cooperating with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) regarding a grand jury investigation into MTN Group, its former subsidiary in Afghanistan, and Irancell.
MTN's head, Ralph Mupita, previously stated that the group is cooperating voluntarily with the DoJ. The company expressed sympathy for those injured or who lost loved ones in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. MTN maintains that the evidence will demonstrate it was not a culpable participant in the attacks at issue.
The antiterrorism cases have been ongoing for over five years, with the families of US soldiers claiming MTN paid protection money to the Taliban and aided its fighters. MTN has consistently denied any wrongdoing and will continue to defend itself in court. The company's cooperation with the DoJ and its defense in court demonstrate its commitment to resolving these matters.
MTN will continue to update shareholders on material developments as appropriate. The company's statement emphasized its commitment to defending the proceedings vigorously and exploring all available legal options. The outcome of these cases remains uncertain, but MTN's cooperation with the DoJ and its defense in court indicate a prolonged and complex process.
Key points
- MTN faces five antiterrorism cases in the US, with two cases moving to the discovery phase.
- The cases involve claims that MTN paid protection money to the Taliban and aided its fighters in Afghanistan.
- MTN maintains that it was not a culpable participant in the attacks and will continue to defend itself in court.
