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Update on NIAC’s Efforts to Preserve Persian Artifacts
Written by NIAC Staff   
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division earlier this month heard NIAC's motion to file a brief Amicus Curiae in conjunction with the Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran v. University of Chicago lawsuit. In presenting the brief, NIAC seeks to act as a "friend of the Court", and moving forward, asks the Court to consider the cultural importance of preserving ancient tablets dating back as early as 515 B.C. from Iran's historic ceremonial capital, Persepolis.

These tablets, nearly 8,000 of which are currently on loan at the University of Chicago, are under threat of seizure and auctioning to satisfy judgments for families of victims affected by bombings in Israel and Lebanon in the 1980s and 1990s.

The trial court recognized NIAC's genuine interest in the dispute, and as such, advised NIAC to file its amicus after completion of the discovery phase when the lawsuit goes before the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit.

"Given the number of existing briefs in the case and the burden it places on plaintiffs with the obligation to respond, the court recommended that NIAC seek to participate as an amicus when the case ultimately reaches the court of appeals," said Miriam Nemetz, a partner of Mayer Brown LLP, who is representing NIAC pro bono. "We look forward to reintroducing the brief at that time and continuing our representation of NIAC on behalf of the Iranian-American community."

 

 


 
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