Archive · 16 Nov 2025
BNP Paribas Seeks to Overturn $21 Million Verdict in Sudan Refugee Case
Imagine a big bank called BNP Paribas.
Some people who used to live in Sudan sued the bank.
They said the bank helped the bad government in Sudan hurt people.
A jury agreed and said the bank had to pay $20.75 million.
But the bank doesn't think this is fair.
They told the judge that the rules of the country where the case was based (Switzerland) don't allow this kind of lawsuit.
They also said the people suing didn't prove their case well enough.
The bank thinks the money they have to pay is way too much.
They want the judge to cancel the money award or have a new trial.
The people suing are confident they will win because they have won before.
BNP Paribas has asked a judge to overturn a $20.75 million verdict awarded to three former Sudanese refugees.
The refugees claimed BNP Paribas funded the Sudanese regime responsible for human rights abuses.
BNP Paribas argues Swiss law does not support the refugees' claims and that the damages are excessive.
The bank also stated the plaintiffs failed to prove their case during the five-week trial in Manhattan.
Plaintiffs' lawyers expressed confidence that the verdict will be upheld, citing previous successes in their legal battle against the bank.
- Who
- BNP Paribas SA and three former Sudanese refugees
- What
- BNP Paribas asked a judge to throw out a $20.75 million verdict against the bank.
- When
- The verdict was awarded after a five-week trial that ended last month. BNP filed its motion late Friday.
- Where
- Manhattan federal court
- Why
- BNP argues that Swiss law doesn't permit the claims, the plaintiffs failed to prove their case, and the damages awarded are excessive. The plaintiffs alleged BNP helped the Sudanese regime fund a campaign of repression by banking oil revenues in violation of US sanctions.
- Plaintiff
- Three former Sudanese refugees
- Defendant
- BNP Paribas SA
- Verdict Amount
- $20.75 million
- Court
- Manhattan federal court (US District Court, Southern District of New York)
- Presiding Judge
- Alvin Hellerstein
- Lawsuit Filing Year
- 2016