Kurd v. Republic of Turkey

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: September 21, 2022
• Docket: Civil Action No. 2018-1117
• Status: Published

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

KASIM KURD, et al., Plaintiffs v. Civil Action No. 18-1117 (CKK) REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, et al., Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER (September 21, 2022)

Pending before this Court is Defendant Republic of Turkey’s [139] Motion to Stay Pending

Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Turkey seeks to stay this case

pending resolution of its Petition for a Writ of Certiorari, which was filed in the United States

Supreme Court on January 13, 2022. Plaintiffs oppose Turkey’s request for stay. Upon review of

the pleadings, 1 the relevant legal authorities, and the record as a whole, the Court DENIES

Turkey’s [139] Motion to Stay.

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs filed their Original Complaint in this action on May 11, 2018, see Compl., ECF

No. 1, and subsequently filed an Amended Complaint on April 19, 2019, see Am. Compl., ECF

No. 63 Their claims arise from events that took place at a May 16, 2017 protest over Turkish

President Recep Erdogan’s visit to the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs were protesting President

1 The Court’s consideration has focused on the following: • Defendant’s Motion to Stay Pending Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States (“Def.’s Mot. to Stay”), ECF No. 139; • Plaintiffs’ Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Turkey’s Motion to Stay (“Pls.’ Opp’n”), ECF No. 141; and • Defendant’s Reply in Support of Motion to Stay Pending Petition for a Writ of Certiorari (“Def.’s Reply”), ECF No. 142. In an exercise of its discretion, the Court finds that holding oral argument in this action would not be of assistance in rendering a decision. See LCvR 7(f). Erdogan's policies, and allege that they were attacked by Turkish security forces and civilian

supporters of President Erdogan in two altercations outside the Turkish Ambassador’s Residence

and one altercation near the Turkish Embassy. These attacks form the basis of Plaintiffs’ various

claims against the Republic of Turkey (“Turkey”), as well as against individual members of the

Turkish security forces, and civilian Defendants. See generally Am. Compl.; Kurd v. Republic of

Turkey, 438 F. Supp. 3d 69, 75–78 (D.D.C. 2020) (discussing factual background of Plaintiffs’

claims). Turkey moved to dismiss all claims against it, arguing that this Court lacks subject matter

jurisdiction due to Turkey’s sovereign immunity. See Mot. to Dismiss, ECF No. 90.

On February 6, 2020, the Court denied without prejudice Turkey’s Motion to Dismiss. See

Kurd v. Republic of Turkey, 438 F. Supp. 3d 69 (D.D.C. 2020). The Court concluded that

Plaintiffs’ allegations “fall within the tortious acts exception to immunity under the [Foreign

Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”)],” and that Turkey had not shown that it was immune from

suit. Id. at 93. On February 19, 2020, Turkey filed a [117] Notice of Appeal, indicating that it

would seek review of the Court’s order denying its motion to dismiss by the United States Court

of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”). Notice of Appeal, ECF No. 117.

On appeal, the D.C. Circuit consolidated this case with the related case, Usoyan v. Republic of

Turkey.

After hearing oral argument, D.C. Circuit “invited” the “United States Department of

Justice” to “file a brief amicus curiae addressing the views of the United States” “on this case, and

in particular on the source and scope of any discretion afforded to foreign security personnel with

respect to taking physical actions against domestic civilians on public property (i.e., not on

diplomatic grounds).” Per Curiam Order, Lusik Usoyan et al. v. Republic of Turkey, Nos. 20-7017,

20-7019 (D.C. Cir. Jan. 25, 2021). The United States filed a brief in support of Plaintiffs, agreeing

2 with this Court’s conclusion that Turkey was not immune from suit based on the “highly fact-

intensive” inquiry. See Gov.’s Br. at 2, Lusik Usoyan et al. v. Republic of Turkey, Nos. 20-7017,

20-7019 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 9, 2021).

On July 21, 2021, a unanimous panel of D.C. Circuit affirmed this Court’s order denying

Turkey’s motion to dismiss. Usoyan v. Republic of Turkey, 6 F.4th 31, 40 (D.C. Cir. 2021).

Turkey unsuccessfully sought en banc review of the panel’s decision. See Order, Lusik Usoyan et

al. v. Republic of Turkey, Nos. 20-7017, 20-7019 (D.C. Cir. Oct. 15, 2021) (denying petition for

en banc consideration without requiring response from Plaintiffs). The D.C. Circuit issued its

mandate on October 25, 2021. See USCA Mandate, ECF No. 138.

On the January 10, 2022, Turkey filed its Motion to Stay in this case, requesting that this

Court stay further proceedings pending the Supreme Court’s consideration of its petition. Turkey

then filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on January 13,

2022, seeking review of the D.C. Circuit’s decision affirming this Court’s denial of its motion to

dismiss. See Petition for Writ of Certiorari, Republic of Turkey v. Lusik Usoyan, et al., No. 21-

1013 (U.S. Jan. 13, 2022). 2

On February 14, 2022, the Supreme Court requested a response from Plaintiffs to Turkey’s

petition for a writ of certiorari, which was filed on March 15, 2022 and Turkey filed a reply on

March 29, 2022. See Respondents’ Br. in Opp’n, Republic of Turkey v. Lusik Usoyan, et al., No.

21-1013 (U.S. Mar. 15, 2022); Reply Br. for Pet’r, Republic of Turkey v. Lusik Usoyan, et al., No.

21-1013 (U.S. Mar. 29, 2022). The parties’ briefs were distributed for the Supreme Court’s April

14, 2022 conference. On April 18, 2022, the Supreme Court “invited” the “Solicitor General” to

“file a brief in this case expressing the views of the United States.” See Order, Republic of Turkey

2 The Supreme Court docket is available at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/ docketfiles/html/public/21-1013 html (last visited September 21, 2022).

3 v. Lusik Usoyan, et al., No. 21-1013 (U.S. Apr. 18, 2022). As of the date of this Memorandum

Opinion & Order, the Solicitor General has not yet filed a brief in response and the Supreme Court

has neither granted nor denied Turkey’s petition.

II. DISCUSSION

In making determinations on motions to stay, courts “exercise [ ] judgment” and “weigh

competing interests.” U.S. ex rel. Vermont Nat’l Tel. Co. v. Northstar Wireless, L.L.C., 288 F.

Supp. 3d 28, 31 (D.D.C. 2017) (quoting Air Line Pilots Ass’n v. Miller, 523 U.S. 866, 879 n.6

(1998)). Courts look at four factors to determine whether to issue a stay:

(1) the likelihood that the party seeking the stay will prevail on the merits of the appeal; (2) the likelihood that the moving party will be irreparably harmed absent a stay; (3) the prospect that others will be harmed if the court grants the stay; and (4) the public interest in granting the stay.

Cuomo v. United States NRC, 772 F. 2d 972, 974 (D.C. Cir. 1985). The Court shall consider each

factor in turn.

A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits/Presentation of a Serious Legal Question The Court first considers the likelihood that Turkey will “prevail on the merits” of its

petition for writ of certiorari. Cuomo, 772 F. 2d at 974. The Court finds that Turkey is unlikely

to do so. In a comprehensive, well-reasoned decision, the D.C. Circuit affirmed this Court’s denial

of Turkey’s motion to dismiss. Usoyan, 6 F.4th 31. The panel’s decision was fully supported by

relevant statutory and case law, addressed in detail both parties’ arguments, and sought the views

of the United States, which agreed with this Court’s conclusion that Turkey was not immune from

Plaintiffs’ claims in this case. Id. Moreover, there was no dissenting opinion, and Turkey’s request

4 for en banc consideration was denied. Turkey’s lack of success on the merits of its immunity

arguments suggests that it is unlikely to succeed on these arguments before the Supreme Court.

However, as this Court has previously explained, to avoid “having to speculate about the

ultimate outcome” of the Supreme Court’s consideration of Turkey’s petition for a writ of

certiorari, it must also consider “whether or not this case presents serious legal questions.” Philipp

v. Fed. Rep. of Germany, 436 F. Supp. 3d 61, 66 (D.D.C. 2020); see also Washington Metropolitan

Area Transit Commission v. Holiday Tours, Inc., 559 F.2d 841, 844 (D.C. Cir. 1977). Turkey

posits that its petition raises “serious and important legal questions regarding the application of the

FSIA’s discretionary function exception” and “the interests of international comity, which will

impact relations between the United States and foreign nations.” Def.’s Mot. to Stay at 7.

To be sure, it is well-established that “actions against foreign sovereigns in our courts raise

sensitive issues concerning the foreign relations of the United States and the primacy of federal

concern is evident.” Verlinden B.V. v. Cent. Bank of Nigeria, 461 U.S. 480, 493 (1983) (“[A]ctions

against foreign sovereigns in our courts raise sensitive issues concerning the foreign relations of

the United States and the primacy of federal concern is evident.”). However, as Plaintiffs correctly

observe, in ruling on Turkey’s motion to dismiss, this Court made a “very narrow, fact-specific

decision.” Kurd, 438 F. Supp. 3d at 88. So too did the D.C. Circuit, drawing on this Court’s

findings of fact and upon its own review of the video of the altercation at issue in the Complaint.

See Usoyan, 6 F.4th at 37. Although Defendant Turkey frames its petition as presenting general

questions about the “application of the FSIA’s discretionary function exception” and as to the

“safety of all foreign heads of state traveling to the U.S.,” Def.’s Mot. at 6, this Court’s decision

(and the D.C. Circuit’s affirmation thereof) involved applications of those principles to the specific

facts of this case. The decisions of this Court and the D.C. Circuit turned on the specific facts

5 presented by this case—not on a legal question of broad applicability. The “fact intensive” nature

of the decisions by this Court and the D.C. Circuit weigh against a conclusion that Turkey’s

petition for a writ of certiorari presents a serious legal question.

Finally, that the Supreme Court has asked for the views of the United States does not tilt

this factor in Turkey’s favor. See Notice, ECF No. 144. The United States has already submitted

its views on the case to the D.C. Circuit. The government agreed that that Turkey was not immune

from this lawsuit based on the particular facts of this case and argued that this Court’s denial of

Turkey’s motion to dismiss should be affirmed. Accordingly, the Court does not find a compelling

reason to continue to delay this action pending the United States’ submission of a brief to the

Supreme Court when it has already weighed in.

B. Likelihood of Irreparable Harm

Turkey argues that it will “suffer irreparable harm” in the absence of a stay, contending

that further proceedings in this case will “irreparably violat[e] Turkey’s sovereign immunity”

pending the Supreme Court’s consideration of its petition. Def.’s Mot. at 8. According to Turkey,

“[a] stay will avoid burdening all parties with costly preliminary motions and potentially

unnecessary discovery activity[.]” Id. Plaintiffs counter that Turkey is unlikely to incur substantial

costs during the duration in which the Supreme Court considers its petition. According to

Plaintiffs, the parties would engage only in initial discovery actions, including “conferring

pursuant to Rule 26, negotiating a protective order, drafting a discovery plan, and perhaps serving

written discovery requests.” Pls.’ Opp’n at 2, 15.

Although this Court has previously found that, in a case against an immune foreign

sovereign, the burden of “defending against a lawsuit is irreversible and constitutes harm.” Philip,

436 F. Supp. 3d at 68. In that case, however, consideration of the first factor (likelihood of

success/serious legal question) was a closer call, as their had been a dissenting opinion on appeal 6 and the Court concluded that the petition for certiorari raised “serious and important legal

questions regarding the application of the [FSIA’s] expropriation exception,” which could affect

foreign relations. Here, the Court’s analysis of its jurisdiction was based on the unique factual

circumstances present on this record, with which both the United States and the D.C. Circuit

agreed. Accordingly, the same concerns about requiring a foreign sovereign to incur the costs of

litigation are not present here.

C. Prospect of Harm to Others and Public Interest in Granting a Stay

The Court next considers the “prospect that others will be harmed if the court grants the

stay,” as well as the “public interest” in granting a stay. Cuomo, 772 F. 2d at 974. As to the first

consideration, Plaintiffs contend that they will be harmed by stay, noting that they have “suffered

injuries,” some of which “have resulted in costly long-term medical care,” and that they “have

waited years to proceed beyond threshold issues.” Pls.’ Opp’n at 16. Turkey counters that

“[w]aiting on the Supreme Court to rule on the certiorari petition will not cause any prejudice” in

light of the length of this case to date. Def.’s Mot. at 8–9. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that a

continued stay will cause them harm by deferring their opportunity to pursue relief for the injuries.

Finally, Turkey argues that the “public has a strong interest in ensuring that foreign

sovereigns are not inappropriately subjected to suit in the United States.” Def.’s Mot. at 9. While

this may be true, for the reasons supra, the Court is not persuaded that subjecting Turkey to suit

based on specific facts and circumstances at issue in this case is “inappropriate.” Neither was the

D.C. Circuit so persuaded. The United States also “agree[d] with [this Court’s] conclusion that

Turkey is not immune from these suits[,] based on this Court’s “factual determinations.” See

Gov.’s Br. at 2, Lusik Usoyan et al. v. Republic of Turkey, No. 20-7017 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 9, 2021).

As such, Turkey’s concerns about the foreign policy implications of declining a stay are misplaced.

7 On the other hand, Plaintiffs contend that there is a “significant public interest in resolving

expeditiously” a case involving an “assault against U.S. citizens and residents on American soil

by armed foreign agents[.]” Pls.’ Opp’n at 17. Although this case has progressed slowly to allow

Turkey to present its immunity arguments before this Court, the Court agrees with Plaintiffs that

further delay weighs against the public interest in allowing them to proceed to prosecute their

claims.

III. CONCLUSION & ORDER

For the foregoing reasons, it is this 21st day of September 2022 hereby ORDERED that

Defendant Turkey’s [139] Motion to Stay is DENIED.

In a separate, forthcoming order, the Court shall order the parties 3 to “fully comply with

Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) and LCvR 16.3,” and to submit a joint statement addressing the topics listed

in Local Rule 16.3(c).

SO ORDERED.

/s/ COLLEEN KOLLAR-KOTELLY United States District Judge

3 At the joint request of the parties, the Court has stayed this action with respect to Individual Defendants Mahmu Sami Ellialti and Ahmet Dereci until the earlier of (a) the date on which the United States Supreme Court rules on Turkey’s petition for a writ of certiorari; or (b) November 3, 2022. See Order Granting Stay as to Indiv. Defs., ECF No. 156. This Order applies does not alter the Court’s earlier decision to stay this case to those Individual Defendants.