US Court Denied MTN Group Appeal in Terrorism Case
A district court ruling allows two Anti-Terrorism Act lawsuits against the firm to proceed to the discovery stage.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Terrorism
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A US district court for the eastern district of New York has denied MTN Group's request to reconsider or appeal a previous ruling. The decision ensures that two lawsuits, Zobay v MTN Group Limited and Long v MTN Group Limited, will move forward to discovery.
Why it matters
MTN sought to overturn the court ruling to halt proceedings under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Plaintiffs allege that the company's business dealings in Iran and Afghanistan provided support to groups responsible for attacks.
MTN Group is currently defending four active lawsuits under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The company holds a 49% stake in Irancell, though it has not drawn dividends from the investment since 2018.
The players
MTN Group Limited
This is a South African multinational mobile telecommunications company that provides voice, data, and digital services across Africa and the Middle East.
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
This is a federal trial court that hears cases involving both civil and criminal matters originating within its jurisdiction.
The details
The discovery stage permits both parties to exchange information and gather evidence to support their respective claims. Following this phase, either side may submit requests for summary judgment.
Timeline
MTN ceased drawing dividends from Irancell in 2018.
MTN initiated efforts to exit its Irancell stake in 2020.
A US grand jury investigation into MTN's operations was disclosed in August 2025.
An impairment in interim results was booked by MTN in August 2026.
The US district court denied the appeal request on September 25, 2026.
Legal Context
The litigation marks an ongoing test of the Anti-Terrorism Act in holding international corporations accountable for business activities in conflict zones. These cases reflect a broader trend of utilizing civil litigation to scrutinize the financial ties between global firms and regional security threats.
The progression of these cases to the discovery stage may reveal deeper insights into the business practices of multinational telecommunications firms operating in high-risk regions. Residents and the public will be watching to see if court findings lead to new regulatory oversight for international business investments.
The takeaway
This ruling highlights the high stakes for global companies entangled in civil lawsuits involving alleged support for militant groups. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming summary judgment requests to see if these cases face early dismissal or proceed to trial.
Further reading
For more background on legal developments related to international security, visit our Terrorism section.
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