(VOVworld) - Hundreds of relatives of victims killed in the Sept. 11 terror attack have filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia in the federal court of Manhattan. 

They are seeking benefits under the newly passed Justice Against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which allows countries to be sued for terrorism even when an alleged act takes place outside the United States. The suit holds Saudi Arabia responsible for the attacks, and accused Saudi officials of ignoring charities who directly funded Al-Qaeda to carry out the attack. 

Despite being a long-time ally of the US, Saudi Arabia was home to 15 of the 19 hijackers involved in the Sept. 11 terror attack. The Saudi Government has denied its involvement, and has consistently condemned JASTA.