MTN dealt US court blow, vows to fight terror claims
The ruling means the cases will now move into the discovery phase - where both sides exchange evidence.
South African telecommunications firm MTN has faced a significant legal setback in a New York court, which dismissed its attempt to halt lawsuits alleging the company facilitated terrorist activities in Afghanistan. The ruling, issued on September 25, 2026, by the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, prevents the cases from advancing to the discovery phase, where evidence will be exchanged between both parties.
Judge Carol Amon's decision also denies MTN's request for an immediate appeal and stops the case from being expedited to a higher court, due to MTN's inability to prove "extraordinary circumstances" warranting such action. Although the rulings do not directly accuse MTN of wrongdoing, they pave the way for the lawsuits to move forward, setting the stage for a potentially contentious legal battle.
MTN maintains that it has consistently denied the allegations of providing payments to the Taliban and al-Qaeda for securing its operations in Afghanistan. The ongoing lawsuits, filed under the US Anti-Terrorism Act, will now progress, with MTN aiming to produce evidence to refute the plaintiffs' claims. The company reaffirms its confidence in the discovery phase, asserting that it will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations and clear its name based on the evidence presented.
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