No Fly List Controversy: Court Shields FBI from Lawsuit

A U.S. appeals court ruled that three Muslim men cannot sue FBI agents who placed them on the No Fly List for refusing to become informants. The court cited qualified immunity for agents, despite acknowledging improper behavior and the lack of threats from the men.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled against three Muslim men seeking to sue FBI agents who had put them on the controversial No Fly List after they refused to act as government informants.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan cited qualified immunity for the 16 FBI agents involved, despite acknowledging that the agents' actions were "improper." The court noted that the agents did not appear aware they were violating any religious beliefs, as this was not communicated by the plaintiffs during their interactions.

The case, originally brought to court by Muhammad Tanvir, Jameel Algibhah, and Naveed Shinwari, highlighted allegations that the list violated their religious beliefs, harmed their employment status, and damaged reputations. Despite the men being removed from the list, the court's decision protects the agents under the aegis of qualified immunity.

(With inputs from agencies.)