Ghayoori v. Sultanate of Oman

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia denied Ramin Ghayoori's motion for default judgment against the Sultanate of Oman and dismissed the action for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court held that Oman was not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism when the alleged detention occurred and that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's tort exception did not apply because the alleged injury occurred in Oman.

Holdings

1. The terrorism exception in 28 U.S.C. § 1605A did not apply because Oman was not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time of the alleged unlawful act.
2. The personal-injury tort exception in 28 U.S.C. § 1605(a)(5) did not apply because the alleged tort and injury occurred in Oman rather than in the United States.
3. Default judgment could not be entered because the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the claims.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's terrorism exception under 28 U.S.C. § 1605A supplied subject matter jurisdiction over Ghayoori's claims against Oman.
2. Whether the FSIA exception for personal injury occurring in the United States under 28 U.S.C. § 1605(a)(5) supplied subject matter jurisdiction.
3. Whether default judgment could be entered when the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.

Disposition

dismissed