Latest development Sep 1, 2026
The D.D.C. confirmed that the judgment remains binding on the Syrian Arab Republic despite the change of government.
The award
- Amount awarded
- $303.6M: $300M in punitive damages, $2.5M in solatium, $1.13M in economic damages, and $11,836 in funeral expenses (opinion of February 1, 2019 and order of February 8, 2019), plus post-judgment interest
- Award holder
- Cathleen Colvin, Christopher Araya-Colvin, and Justine Araya-Colvin (heirs of Marie Colvin)
- Respondent
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Forum
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:16-cv-01423 · FSIA terrorism exception (§1605A) · default judgment
Challenges
Default judgment. No appeal appears on the docket. On September 1, 2026, the court confirmed that the February 8, 2019 judgment and post-judgment interest remain binding on the Syrian Arab Republic despite the change of government. Plaintiffs’ counsel told the court that the transitional government takes the position that it is not bound by a judgment against the previous government.
Enforcement
No attachment of Syrian assets was found. The court denied without prejudice the plaintiffs’ request to order Syria to take part in post-judgment mediation (September 1, 2026).
Recovered to date
None from Syria. Plaintiffs told the court in 2026 that Syria has not satisfied the judgment. Any U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund payments (which come from the Fund, not Syria) were not verified.
Notes
Total computed from the opinion ($302,511,836) and the February 8, 2019 order awarding $1,131,660 in economic damages (docket text). USVSST Fund distributions to the plaintiffs were not verified. The September 2026 order dates the plaintiffs’ motion May 18, 2025, while the docket shows May 18, 2026.