Legal Case Summary

Nilo Jerez v. Republic of Cuba


Date Argued: Mon Nov 10 2014
Case Number: CA2014-03-021
Docket Number: 2595307
Judges:Brown, Williams, Ginsburg
Duration: 28 minutes
Court Name: D.C Circuit

Case Summary

**Case Summary: Nilo Jerez v. Republic of Cuba** **Docket Number: 2595307** **Court:** United States District Court or relevant jurisdiction **Date:** [Insert Decision Date] **Parties Involved:** - **Plaintiff:** Nilo Jerez - **Defendant:** Republic of Cuba **Background:** Nilo Jerez, a citizen of [insert nationality if known], brought a lawsuit against the Republic of Cuba, alleging [insert specific claims, e.g., wrongful detention, violation of human rights, expropriation of property, etc.]. The case centers around events that occurred in [insert relevant date or period, if applicable], during which Plaintiff asserts that his rights were violated by the actions of the Cuban government. **Legal Claims:** The plaintiff's claims include, but may not be limited to, violations of: - [List specific legal claims, e.g., International Human Rights Laws, Torture Convention, specific acts of Congress like the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act] **Procedural History:** The plaintiff filed the case on [insert filing date], seeking [insert type of relief sought, e.g., damages, injunctions, declaratory relief]. The Republic of Cuba responded by [insert response by the defendant, e.g., filing a motion to dismiss, answering the complaint, etc.], presenting various defenses, including [list defenses, e.g., sovereign immunity, lack of jurisdiction, or other pertinent defenses]. **Key Issues:** The primary issues before the court include: 1. Whether the court has jurisdiction over the Republic of Cuba given its sovereign status. 2. Whether the plaintiff has adequately stated a claim for which relief can be granted. 3. The applicability of any governmental immunity or protections offered to the Republic of Cuba under international law. **Court's Analysis:** In resolving these issues, the court examined: - [Insert findings on jurisdiction, referencing specific statutes or precedents] - Whether there are exceptions to sovereign immunity that apply in this case, such as tortious acts or violations of international law. - The credibility of the plaintiff’s claims based on the evidence presented, including any testimonies, documents, or other relevant materials. **Decision:** The court ruled on [insert date of ruling], finding that [summarize the outcome, e.g., dismissing the case, allowing the case to proceed, providing a settlement, etc.]. This decision was based on [insert rationale for the decision, referencing specific laws or legal principles]. **Conclusion:** The outcome of Nilo Jerez v. Republic of Cuba will have implications for similar cases involving claims against foreign sovereigns and the interpretation of sovereign immunity under international law. The case underscores the complexities involved in litigating against a foreign government in U.S. courts. **Note:** This summary is for informational purposes only. For detailed legal analysis and implications, consult legal professionals or specific case documents.

Nilo Jerez v. Republic of Cuba


Oral Audio Transcript(Beta version)

Okay, number 13-7141. Nilo Gubores, appellant versus Republic of Cuba at L. Ms. Opel, for the appellant, Mr. Kinsky, for the appellate. Good morning, Your Honors. May I please the court? My name is Richard Oak Roll, and I represent the appellant Nilo Perez. Mr. Ures was a political prisoner who obtained a state court judgment in Florida against Cuba, the Castra brothers, the Cuban army, and the interior ministry. That judgment was supported by both pled and record facts, showing that he was injured by an act of terrorism, the infection with a viral biological agent. And after the time that Cuba was designated, they sent date sponsor of terrorism in 1982, and after the time period when he became a U

.S. citizen. Did you see it? I'm sorry, did you see it was affected by it? He was infected by it, in terms of a viral infection. He had been infected by it right along. He- Your Honor, the record is absolutely clear, and I don't think that there's any dispute that Mr. Perez was injected with drugs, some nature, while he was in Cuba. He then came, he was released from Cuba, spent five months in Spain, then came to the U.S. and became a citizen, at least by the early 90s. The focus of the argument, though, is that it goes to the science, and it's the scientific nature of the hepatitis C virus

. Hepsi replicates repeatedly, and once you were infected with Hepsi, not everyone is injured by it and develops cirrhosis of the liver, but a good chunk of percentage of people do, but the scientific facts that are in the record, the Rockefeller University report clearly states that a hepatitis C virus will continue to replicate each day. It has a beginning point where it hijacks a healthy cell, it replicates in that cell, and then it destroys that cell, and then it goes on, and does it again and again and again. So, you know, it's if someone put a bomb on a plane in Cuba, it was flown to the United States, landed in Miami, the bomb exploded in Miami, causing death and injury. Well, here the Hepsi virus is like the bomb. Mr. Perez has been in the United States, has been a U.S. citizen since well before the 2000 judgment in his case was entered, and so each day he is undergoing a new detonation. So you have.

.. Has his viral load increased to stenial overtime? It has absolutely increased over time, your honor, and he was dying to such an extent that the medical testimonies in the record that in 1998 he was diagnosed as being in the early stages of liver cirrhosis. So what we have here is a situation, and I will tell your honors that it is unprecedented. There are no cases that speak directly to this point. So it's an issue that is somewhat unique, but given the possibility of biological attacks and the fact that the Congress, particularly when they enacted TRIA, specifically said that an act of terrorism, they defined it by referring to the Immigration and Naturalization Act, that an act of terror would include an attack by a biological agent. So we have a... We have Cuba admittedly injecting drugs into Mr. Perez

. The easiest and most common way to get hepatitis C is to use a dirty needle. And given the facts that are in the record, sterility was not something that Cuba and its agents were concerned about when they were treating and torturing Mr. Perez. You get it from a dirty needle. He was infected with that Hep C virus. He came to the United States. That virus is continuing to replicate each day. So you have a situation where you have both a tort and the injury occurring in this country. After Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1982, and after Mr. Perez became a citizen in

... ...sometimes in the 9th record, it's unclear as to the exact date, but the Florida circuit court did have before it in its record. The fact of his of Mr. Perez's testimony in a criminal case against a person who was working in that Cuban psychiatric institution where he was tortured and was indicted for making false statements on his citizen ship application. That trial transcript of Mr. Perez's testimony at that criminal trial was placed into the Florida circuit court record

. And when the Florida circuit court judge entered the judgment against Cuba and the other defendants, he specifically said that he relied on extensive evidence. And he went on to say that he took judicial notice of the proceedings in the criminal court case. And that criminal trial was held in 2002, Mr. Perez clearly testified that he was a citizen of the United States. There's a dispute about whether the transcript said 50 years, it should have said 15 years. But in 2002, five years before the judgment that Mr. Perez had paying in Florida, there was no doubt in the record that he was a citizen, there was no doubt in the record that he had hapsi. And there was no doubt also in the record that the Florida judge considered the Foreign Software and Immunities Act exemption under 160587. Court below air by not giving that judgment, seeking to execute against the assets, the intellectual property assets of Cuban's agencies and instrumentalities, that judgment should have been given a full faith in credit. But I think it's important to know that this state court judge did not simply ignore his responsibility under the Foreign Software and Immunities Act

. He was well aware of it. That's because 11 days prior to his judgment in the Perez case, he issued a judgment in House of the versus Cuba case that has gone up to various courts, including the second circuit recently. But at 207 West Law, 6870681, Judge Wilson gave a judgment with an extensive discussion of the Foreign Software and Immunities Act and the A7 exception to the immunity. He also had before him in the State Court pleadings the fact that Cuba was a foreign state that the Foreign Software and Immunities Act was expressly referenced in that complaint. There is the record is clear that the judge went on to hold a trial as he recognized was required under Section 1608E. He did hold that trial. There is no transcript of that trial that exists. So we do not know precisely what was put before the Court, but the Court did clearly come down and say that Mr. Perez was infected by Hepsie. He was injured to the tune of several million dollars

. Your Honor, my time is about to expire. Your reply brief does not respond to the citation of practical concepts in the Athelese brief. And I was wondering if you have a theory for answering that. Your Honor, practical, I think that the issue relates to whether or not it had to be pled. The Foreign Software and Immunities Act had to be pled. Or maybe the individual. Well, if I were practical concepts correctly where the initial judgment is by default, then there is an effort, or actually there is not even an effort to enforce it, but it is sort of a preemptive trial against it under 60b. Once the defendant appears, the defendant has the right to challenge the jurisdictional judgment. And if it wins on that, then everything starts all over again on the merits. If it loses on that, then it has no chance to litigate the merits

. And that seems to be compete to consistent with the general law of judgments in the United States, including with Florida law of judgments. Your Honor, you were right. Florida law under the Florida rules of civil procedure, judgment can be collateral attack if it is void. Yes, and I think McGee makes clear that where there has been a default and the defendant seeks to challenge jurisdiction, is entitled to do that. Your Honor, whether or not they are, first of all, Cuba and the other defendants have not actually appeared to challenge jurisdiction as a collateral attack. It is Cuban's agencies and instrumentalities. But even if that is the case, the standard would be, if you pincoed that early attack, whether or not the judgment was void or was constitutionally inferred, and a court-dead- I think the key thing to me is whether it is reviewed or resolved, and no vote by the later court, or in case of practical concepts, the same court, viewing it for the first time that the defendant appears, or whether there is any kind of difference at all to the initial judgment. And it seems to be practical concepts is pretty clear on that. Your Honor, Cuba had the opportunity to appear multiple times. That is always true in those cases

. That is always true in the cases where that doctrine applies. But even assuming that all of that is correct, we believe that there is enough fled facts and record facts that allows the court to find the existence of the immunity exception, and thus the judgment that comes to the court. That is on the theory of the court. The court renewing itself every day. That is correct, Your Honor. If the court does not renew itself every day repeatedly, then the tort and the injury did not occur in the United States. But we believe that both tort and the injury does occur in the United States because of the unique scientific evidence of how Pepsi operates. Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you. May I please the Court, Michael Krinsky, for the Apple Ease, on the plaintiff's replication theory, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 1605-85 and 1605-87, look exclusively to the act of the Foreign Sovereign here were taken within Cuba, and they were taken before the plaintiff became the United States citizen, which happened only after he left Cuba. And they took place before Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism. So for these good and I think obvious reasons, there could be no jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The acts took place in Cuba and before the designation and before he became the citizen. The analogy to terrorism putting a bomb on a plane that comes to the United States and lands here and explodes is really rather misplaced. Among other things, Cuba did not put Mr. Herré's on a plane to come to the United States. Cuba let Mr. Plaintiff leave Cuba. However, he went to Spain in fact, and he came to the United States. But more fundamentally, Cuba's actions that were found by the State Court in Florida were not directed towards the United States

. And they took place before Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism. So for these good and I think obvious reasons, there could be no jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The acts took place in Cuba and before the designation and before he became the citizen. The analogy to terrorism putting a bomb on a plane that comes to the United States and lands here and explodes is really rather misplaced. Among other things, Cuba did not put Mr. Herré's on a plane to come to the United States. Cuba let Mr. Plaintiff leave Cuba. However, he went to Spain in fact, and he came to the United States. But more fundamentally, Cuba's actions that were found by the State Court in Florida were not directed towards the United States. They did not use an instrumentality such as an airplane to take out an action within the United States. They were directed in Cuba towards the United States citizen. So the analogy fails. On practical concepts. We think it's entirely clear under practical concepts and under the case that relied upon it, Bel Helacoptus, that the second court reviews a default judgment, which is what we have here, on personal and subject management jurisdiction, which is we have both that issue, they know. And the distinction is a sharp one between default judgments and judgments where the party has appeared and contest. What do you make of the purpose of 1608E? Excuse me, Your Honor. What do you make of the purpose of section 1608E? A duty of the initial court to find out that there's an adequate basis in the record for inferring that the district court was satisfied that the evidence supported the plaintiff's claims? The purpose is entering a judgment against the foreign sovereign. A starting jurisdiction over foreign sovereign is a sensitive matter. And the foreign sovereign and the community act did not want it to happen in the way, at least in many jurisdictions, that default judgment is taken, which is the other side doesn't show up

. They did not use an instrumentality such as an airplane to take out an action within the United States. They were directed in Cuba towards the United States citizen. So the analogy fails. On practical concepts. We think it's entirely clear under practical concepts and under the case that relied upon it, Bel Helacoptus, that the second court reviews a default judgment, which is what we have here, on personal and subject management jurisdiction, which is we have both that issue, they know. And the distinction is a sharp one between default judgments and judgments where the party has appeared and contest. What do you make of the purpose of 1608E? Excuse me, Your Honor. What do you make of the purpose of section 1608E? A duty of the initial court to find out that there's an adequate basis in the record for inferring that the district court was satisfied that the evidence supported the plaintiff's claims? The purpose is entering a judgment against the foreign sovereign. A starting jurisdiction over foreign sovereign is a sensitive matter. And the foreign sovereign and the community act did not want it to happen in the way, at least in many jurisdictions, that default judgment is taken, which is the other side doesn't show up. You get a piece of paper. Well, why isn't the protection of the concept and more broadly the law of judgments that exemplifies ample? Well, one thing, Your Honor, I think that this own circuit's decision in Trans-Sero, for instance, which guesses the law of the circuit, shows how this is supposed to work under the Foreign sovereign in the United States. In Trans-Sero, Judge Michelin, the East Enderstice of New York, had a hearing. He addressed the FSIR issues. He came down on one side of the issue. The law court here and this court on appeal then reviewed that judgment and made its own, they know more determinations at college with Judge Michelin. And I suggest that it's particularly important in the sovereign and the Middle East context for there to be collateral attack. Because often foreign states for their own reasons of sovereignty do not appear, do not appear, default judgments are entered. And it's only when that judgment goes to be attacked and under trear against agencies or in general public agencies or in general public agencies or in generalities that a party normally appears and questions the jurisdiction. So the requirements of holding a hearing, I think in no way, all does, the obligation of the second court to when challenged to review the jurisdiction, subject matter and personal of the first court

. You get a piece of paper. Well, why isn't the protection of the concept and more broadly the law of judgments that exemplifies ample? Well, one thing, Your Honor, I think that this own circuit's decision in Trans-Sero, for instance, which guesses the law of the circuit, shows how this is supposed to work under the Foreign sovereign in the United States. In Trans-Sero, Judge Michelin, the East Enderstice of New York, had a hearing. He addressed the FSIR issues. He came down on one side of the issue. The law court here and this court on appeal then reviewed that judgment and made its own, they know more determinations at college with Judge Michelin. And I suggest that it's particularly important in the sovereign and the Middle East context for there to be collateral attack. Because often foreign states for their own reasons of sovereignty do not appear, do not appear, default judgments are entered. And it's only when that judgment goes to be attacked and under trear against agencies or in general public agencies or in general public agencies or in generalities that a party normally appears and questions the jurisdiction. So the requirements of holding a hearing, I think in no way, all does, the obligation of the second court to when challenged to review the jurisdiction, subject matter and personal of the first court. I'd like to also say something about this particular judgment. It's a proper standard review, I believe, is De Nalbo under the three decisions of this court, Trans-Sero, practical concepts and Bell Helicopter. But even if this judgment is reviewed under a lesser standard, what we lack standard, it doesn't survive its scrutiny. This is in a very extreme case. The state court made none of the findings required by the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act. The findings it did make, the Gates Subin and the Middle East, the Magistrate Judge and the District Court Judge here in this district, look thoroughly at the record in the case. The Court found nothing to support the requirements, the FSAI requirements for jurisdiction. And all of this was in the context of the Supreme Court having previously decided, I'm ready to ask where it's a, that it is clear as to be that the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act is the only source of jurisdiction over the Foreign State. And in fact, it was so clear that this Court has sanctioned attorneys for relying on the A&TWC claims act rather than the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act, in strident and bulk jurisdiction. So we think that under a denover rule, a denover standard, which is required both by the law of this circuit, I suggest, and by Florida law, an illegal suffice

. I'd like to also say something about this particular judgment. It's a proper standard review, I believe, is De Nalbo under the three decisions of this court, Trans-Sero, practical concepts and Bell Helicopter. But even if this judgment is reviewed under a lesser standard, what we lack standard, it doesn't survive its scrutiny. This is in a very extreme case. The state court made none of the findings required by the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act. The findings it did make, the Gates Subin and the Middle East, the Magistrate Judge and the District Court Judge here in this district, look thoroughly at the record in the case. The Court found nothing to support the requirements, the FSAI requirements for jurisdiction. And all of this was in the context of the Supreme Court having previously decided, I'm ready to ask where it's a, that it is clear as to be that the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act is the only source of jurisdiction over the Foreign State. And in fact, it was so clear that this Court has sanctioned attorneys for relying on the A&TWC claims act rather than the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act, in strident and bulk jurisdiction. So we think that under a denover rule, a denover standard, which is required both by the law of this circuit, I suggest, and by Florida law, an illegal suffice. Under the denover review, it cannot be, the judgment has to be set aside, not in fourth, I should say, not set aside, not in fourth here. And even under more relaxed standard, this is an extreme judgment and cannot survive scrutiny, even if there were a relaxed standard that was applicable. I'd like, in the short time remaining, Your Honor, to turn to plaintiffs' failure to argue the Cuban assets control regulations point, which was one of the rounds for decision by the magistrate judge. You think that failure to make that argument is fatal to plaintiffs' appeal? For two reasons. One is, as we understand it, the magistrate judge's order is before this Court. The appeal brings both the magistrate's order and the district court judges' order. The only judgment, the only order, in fact, invocating the attachment, and ignoring the course motion for an attachment, is the magistrate judge's order. Which is valid and self-operating until set aside, and it has not been set aside. So therefore, that order is before this Court, the plaintiff is not arguing one of the two rounds for that decision. Secondly, this Court may affirm on any ground presented below

. Under the denover review, it cannot be, the judgment has to be set aside, not in fourth, I should say, not set aside, not in fourth here. And even under more relaxed standard, this is an extreme judgment and cannot survive scrutiny, even if there were a relaxed standard that was applicable. I'd like, in the short time remaining, Your Honor, to turn to plaintiffs' failure to argue the Cuban assets control regulations point, which was one of the rounds for decision by the magistrate judge. You think that failure to make that argument is fatal to plaintiffs' appeal? For two reasons. One is, as we understand it, the magistrate judge's order is before this Court. The appeal brings both the magistrate's order and the district court judges' order. The only judgment, the only order, in fact, invocating the attachment, and ignoring the course motion for an attachment, is the magistrate judge's order. Which is valid and self-operating until set aside, and it has not been set aside. So therefore, that order is before this Court, the plaintiff is not arguing one of the two rounds for that decision. Secondly, this Court may affirm on any ground presented below. The Cuban assets control regulations point was presented below, and the plaintiff, the appellant, cannot defeat the rule that you can affirm on any ground presented below by simply not arguing the point. And here, the three, no reasonable claim of surprise. The magistrate judge addressed it, decided that issue, both parties argued it before the district court judge. So we think on that point as well, Your Honor, the judgment should be affirmed because the plaintiff has not argued a necessary point. I have no time apparently to address the Cuban assets control regulations to be a point itself unless the court would have questions on that issue. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Thank you. Well, if I might with one point, you're on a 30, 15 seconds additionally. I just would like to make it clear that the evidence that the plaintiff's counsel has relied upon here was not evidence, the scientific evidence, the evidence of purposeful injection of hepatitis C and so forth, was not in the State Court proceeding. He just introduced that evidence in the proceeding below

. The Cuban assets control regulations point was presented below, and the plaintiff, the appellant, cannot defeat the rule that you can affirm on any ground presented below by simply not arguing the point. And here, the three, no reasonable claim of surprise. The magistrate judge addressed it, decided that issue, both parties argued it before the district court judge. So we think on that point as well, Your Honor, the judgment should be affirmed because the plaintiff has not argued a necessary point. I have no time apparently to address the Cuban assets control regulations to be a point itself unless the court would have questions on that issue. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Thank you. Well, if I might with one point, you're on a 30, 15 seconds additionally. I just would like to make it clear that the evidence that the plaintiff's counsel has relied upon here was not evidence, the scientific evidence, the evidence of purposeful injection of hepatitis C and so forth, was not in the State Court proceeding. He just introduced that evidence in the proceeding below. Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you. You have no time left, but we'll give you two minutes and a little time. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Please report. Just as to the last point, I don't believe that that is correct, both in the State Court pleading. And in a statement by Mr. Perez and in medical records that were before the Florida Supreme Court, there was extensive evidence of Mr. Perez being injected by drugs. And there was also evidence that he had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis as a result of his Hep C infection

. Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you. You have no time left, but we'll give you two minutes and a little time. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Please report. Just as to the last point, I don't believe that that is correct, both in the State Court pleading. And in a statement by Mr. Perez and in medical records that were before the Florida Supreme Court, there was extensive evidence of Mr. Perez being injected by drugs. And there was also evidence that he had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis as a result of his Hep C infection. So that that letter point, I don't believe is correct. Mr. Kurenski talked about the United States not having an interest in this. Well, that's not the standard under 1605-A-7. You have to have a victim who was the U.S. National when the toward and the injury occurred, and we had that here. In addition, the U.S. clearly did have an interest in Mr

. So that that letter point, I don't believe is correct. Mr. Kurenski talked about the United States not having an interest in this. Well, that's not the standard under 1605-A-7. You have to have a victim who was the U.S. National when the toward and the injury occurred, and we had that here. In addition, the U.S. clearly did have an interest in Mr. Perez because as is in the record, Cuba released him based on pressure from Senator Powell, Senator Javits, a President Carter, and the Catholic Church. So this country clearly did have some interest in Mr. Perez. What is your response to Mr. Kurenski's argument that the court, the State Court, did not make any findings in showing that it was considering the FSIA and that the findings that it actually did make negated jurisdiction under that statute? Your Honor, we believe that the citation to the Alien Tord claims that was an error by Council, which the court then picked up upon. However, there are fact you don't necessarily have to look to the label of a statute as in the National Air Traffic Controllers case, as long as you have sufficient facts in the record that would support the exercise of jurisdiction. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm

Okay, number 13-7141. Nilo Gubores, appellant versus Republic of Cuba at L. Ms. Opel, for the appellant, Mr. Kinsky, for the appellate. Good morning, Your Honors. May I please the court? My name is Richard Oak Roll, and I represent the appellant Nilo Perez. Mr. Ures was a political prisoner who obtained a state court judgment in Florida against Cuba, the Castra brothers, the Cuban army, and the interior ministry. That judgment was supported by both pled and record facts, showing that he was injured by an act of terrorism, the infection with a viral biological agent. And after the time that Cuba was designated, they sent date sponsor of terrorism in 1982, and after the time period when he became a U.S. citizen. Did you see it? I'm sorry, did you see it was affected by it? He was infected by it, in terms of a viral infection. He had been infected by it right along. He- Your Honor, the record is absolutely clear, and I don't think that there's any dispute that Mr. Perez was injected with drugs, some nature, while he was in Cuba. He then came, he was released from Cuba, spent five months in Spain, then came to the U.S. and became a citizen, at least by the early 90s. The focus of the argument, though, is that it goes to the science, and it's the scientific nature of the hepatitis C virus. Hepsi replicates repeatedly, and once you were infected with Hepsi, not everyone is injured by it and develops cirrhosis of the liver, but a good chunk of percentage of people do, but the scientific facts that are in the record, the Rockefeller University report clearly states that a hepatitis C virus will continue to replicate each day. It has a beginning point where it hijacks a healthy cell, it replicates in that cell, and then it destroys that cell, and then it goes on, and does it again and again and again. So, you know, it's if someone put a bomb on a plane in Cuba, it was flown to the United States, landed in Miami, the bomb exploded in Miami, causing death and injury. Well, here the Hepsi virus is like the bomb. Mr. Perez has been in the United States, has been a U.S. citizen since well before the 2000 judgment in his case was entered, and so each day he is undergoing a new detonation. So you have... Has his viral load increased to stenial overtime? It has absolutely increased over time, your honor, and he was dying to such an extent that the medical testimonies in the record that in 1998 he was diagnosed as being in the early stages of liver cirrhosis. So what we have here is a situation, and I will tell your honors that it is unprecedented. There are no cases that speak directly to this point. So it's an issue that is somewhat unique, but given the possibility of biological attacks and the fact that the Congress, particularly when they enacted TRIA, specifically said that an act of terrorism, they defined it by referring to the Immigration and Naturalization Act, that an act of terror would include an attack by a biological agent. So we have a... We have Cuba admittedly injecting drugs into Mr. Perez. The easiest and most common way to get hepatitis C is to use a dirty needle. And given the facts that are in the record, sterility was not something that Cuba and its agents were concerned about when they were treating and torturing Mr. Perez. You get it from a dirty needle. He was infected with that Hep C virus. He came to the United States. That virus is continuing to replicate each day. So you have a situation where you have both a tort and the injury occurring in this country. After Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1982, and after Mr. Perez became a citizen in... ...sometimes in the 9th record, it's unclear as to the exact date, but the Florida circuit court did have before it in its record. The fact of his of Mr. Perez's testimony in a criminal case against a person who was working in that Cuban psychiatric institution where he was tortured and was indicted for making false statements on his citizen ship application. That trial transcript of Mr. Perez's testimony at that criminal trial was placed into the Florida circuit court record. And when the Florida circuit court judge entered the judgment against Cuba and the other defendants, he specifically said that he relied on extensive evidence. And he went on to say that he took judicial notice of the proceedings in the criminal court case. And that criminal trial was held in 2002, Mr. Perez clearly testified that he was a citizen of the United States. There's a dispute about whether the transcript said 50 years, it should have said 15 years. But in 2002, five years before the judgment that Mr. Perez had paying in Florida, there was no doubt in the record that he was a citizen, there was no doubt in the record that he had hapsi. And there was no doubt also in the record that the Florida judge considered the Foreign Software and Immunities Act exemption under 160587. Court below air by not giving that judgment, seeking to execute against the assets, the intellectual property assets of Cuban's agencies and instrumentalities, that judgment should have been given a full faith in credit. But I think it's important to know that this state court judge did not simply ignore his responsibility under the Foreign Software and Immunities Act. He was well aware of it. That's because 11 days prior to his judgment in the Perez case, he issued a judgment in House of the versus Cuba case that has gone up to various courts, including the second circuit recently. But at 207 West Law, 6870681, Judge Wilson gave a judgment with an extensive discussion of the Foreign Software and Immunities Act and the A7 exception to the immunity. He also had before him in the State Court pleadings the fact that Cuba was a foreign state that the Foreign Software and Immunities Act was expressly referenced in that complaint. There is the record is clear that the judge went on to hold a trial as he recognized was required under Section 1608E. He did hold that trial. There is no transcript of that trial that exists. So we do not know precisely what was put before the Court, but the Court did clearly come down and say that Mr. Perez was infected by Hepsie. He was injured to the tune of several million dollars. Your Honor, my time is about to expire. Your reply brief does not respond to the citation of practical concepts in the Athelese brief. And I was wondering if you have a theory for answering that. Your Honor, practical, I think that the issue relates to whether or not it had to be pled. The Foreign Software and Immunities Act had to be pled. Or maybe the individual. Well, if I were practical concepts correctly where the initial judgment is by default, then there is an effort, or actually there is not even an effort to enforce it, but it is sort of a preemptive trial against it under 60b. Once the defendant appears, the defendant has the right to challenge the jurisdictional judgment. And if it wins on that, then everything starts all over again on the merits. If it loses on that, then it has no chance to litigate the merits. And that seems to be compete to consistent with the general law of judgments in the United States, including with Florida law of judgments. Your Honor, you were right. Florida law under the Florida rules of civil procedure, judgment can be collateral attack if it is void. Yes, and I think McGee makes clear that where there has been a default and the defendant seeks to challenge jurisdiction, is entitled to do that. Your Honor, whether or not they are, first of all, Cuba and the other defendants have not actually appeared to challenge jurisdiction as a collateral attack. It is Cuban's agencies and instrumentalities. But even if that is the case, the standard would be, if you pincoed that early attack, whether or not the judgment was void or was constitutionally inferred, and a court-dead- I think the key thing to me is whether it is reviewed or resolved, and no vote by the later court, or in case of practical concepts, the same court, viewing it for the first time that the defendant appears, or whether there is any kind of difference at all to the initial judgment. And it seems to be practical concepts is pretty clear on that. Your Honor, Cuba had the opportunity to appear multiple times. That is always true in those cases. That is always true in the cases where that doctrine applies. But even assuming that all of that is correct, we believe that there is enough fled facts and record facts that allows the court to find the existence of the immunity exception, and thus the judgment that comes to the court. That is on the theory of the court. The court renewing itself every day. That is correct, Your Honor. If the court does not renew itself every day repeatedly, then the tort and the injury did not occur in the United States. But we believe that both tort and the injury does occur in the United States because of the unique scientific evidence of how Pepsi operates. Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you. May I please the Court, Michael Krinsky, for the Apple Ease, on the plaintiff's replication theory, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 1605-85 and 1605-87, look exclusively to the act of the Foreign Sovereign here were taken within Cuba, and they were taken before the plaintiff became the United States citizen, which happened only after he left Cuba. And they took place before Cuba was designated a state sponsor of terrorism. So for these good and I think obvious reasons, there could be no jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The acts took place in Cuba and before the designation and before he became the citizen. The analogy to terrorism putting a bomb on a plane that comes to the United States and lands here and explodes is really rather misplaced. Among other things, Cuba did not put Mr. Herré's on a plane to come to the United States. Cuba let Mr. Plaintiff leave Cuba. However, he went to Spain in fact, and he came to the United States. But more fundamentally, Cuba's actions that were found by the State Court in Florida were not directed towards the United States. They did not use an instrumentality such as an airplane to take out an action within the United States. They were directed in Cuba towards the United States citizen. So the analogy fails. On practical concepts. We think it's entirely clear under practical concepts and under the case that relied upon it, Bel Helacoptus, that the second court reviews a default judgment, which is what we have here, on personal and subject management jurisdiction, which is we have both that issue, they know. And the distinction is a sharp one between default judgments and judgments where the party has appeared and contest. What do you make of the purpose of 1608E? Excuse me, Your Honor. What do you make of the purpose of section 1608E? A duty of the initial court to find out that there's an adequate basis in the record for inferring that the district court was satisfied that the evidence supported the plaintiff's claims? The purpose is entering a judgment against the foreign sovereign. A starting jurisdiction over foreign sovereign is a sensitive matter. And the foreign sovereign and the community act did not want it to happen in the way, at least in many jurisdictions, that default judgment is taken, which is the other side doesn't show up. You get a piece of paper. Well, why isn't the protection of the concept and more broadly the law of judgments that exemplifies ample? Well, one thing, Your Honor, I think that this own circuit's decision in Trans-Sero, for instance, which guesses the law of the circuit, shows how this is supposed to work under the Foreign sovereign in the United States. In Trans-Sero, Judge Michelin, the East Enderstice of New York, had a hearing. He addressed the FSIR issues. He came down on one side of the issue. The law court here and this court on appeal then reviewed that judgment and made its own, they know more determinations at college with Judge Michelin. And I suggest that it's particularly important in the sovereign and the Middle East context for there to be collateral attack. Because often foreign states for their own reasons of sovereignty do not appear, do not appear, default judgments are entered. And it's only when that judgment goes to be attacked and under trear against agencies or in general public agencies or in general public agencies or in generalities that a party normally appears and questions the jurisdiction. So the requirements of holding a hearing, I think in no way, all does, the obligation of the second court to when challenged to review the jurisdiction, subject matter and personal of the first court. I'd like to also say something about this particular judgment. It's a proper standard review, I believe, is De Nalbo under the three decisions of this court, Trans-Sero, practical concepts and Bell Helicopter. But even if this judgment is reviewed under a lesser standard, what we lack standard, it doesn't survive its scrutiny. This is in a very extreme case. The state court made none of the findings required by the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act. The findings it did make, the Gates Subin and the Middle East, the Magistrate Judge and the District Court Judge here in this district, look thoroughly at the record in the case. The Court found nothing to support the requirements, the FSAI requirements for jurisdiction. And all of this was in the context of the Supreme Court having previously decided, I'm ready to ask where it's a, that it is clear as to be that the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act is the only source of jurisdiction over the Foreign State. And in fact, it was so clear that this Court has sanctioned attorneys for relying on the A&TWC claims act rather than the Foreign Subin and the Middle East Act, in strident and bulk jurisdiction. So we think that under a denover rule, a denover standard, which is required both by the law of this circuit, I suggest, and by Florida law, an illegal suffice. Under the denover review, it cannot be, the judgment has to be set aside, not in fourth, I should say, not set aside, not in fourth here. And even under more relaxed standard, this is an extreme judgment and cannot survive scrutiny, even if there were a relaxed standard that was applicable. I'd like, in the short time remaining, Your Honor, to turn to plaintiffs' failure to argue the Cuban assets control regulations point, which was one of the rounds for decision by the magistrate judge. You think that failure to make that argument is fatal to plaintiffs' appeal? For two reasons. One is, as we understand it, the magistrate judge's order is before this Court. The appeal brings both the magistrate's order and the district court judges' order. The only judgment, the only order, in fact, invocating the attachment, and ignoring the course motion for an attachment, is the magistrate judge's order. Which is valid and self-operating until set aside, and it has not been set aside. So therefore, that order is before this Court, the plaintiff is not arguing one of the two rounds for that decision. Secondly, this Court may affirm on any ground presented below. The Cuban assets control regulations point was presented below, and the plaintiff, the appellant, cannot defeat the rule that you can affirm on any ground presented below by simply not arguing the point. And here, the three, no reasonable claim of surprise. The magistrate judge addressed it, decided that issue, both parties argued it before the district court judge. So we think on that point as well, Your Honor, the judgment should be affirmed because the plaintiff has not argued a necessary point. I have no time apparently to address the Cuban assets control regulations to be a point itself unless the court would have questions on that issue. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Thank you. Well, if I might with one point, you're on a 30, 15 seconds additionally. I just would like to make it clear that the evidence that the plaintiff's counsel has relied upon here was not evidence, the scientific evidence, the evidence of purposeful injection of hepatitis C and so forth, was not in the State Court proceeding. He just introduced that evidence in the proceeding below. Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you. You have no time left, but we'll give you two minutes and a little time. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Please report. Just as to the last point, I don't believe that that is correct, both in the State Court pleading. And in a statement by Mr. Perez and in medical records that were before the Florida Supreme Court, there was extensive evidence of Mr. Perez being injected by drugs. And there was also evidence that he had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis as a result of his Hep C infection. So that that letter point, I don't believe is correct. Mr. Kurenski talked about the United States not having an interest in this. Well, that's not the standard under 1605-A-7. You have to have a victim who was the U.S. National when the toward and the injury occurred, and we had that here. In addition, the U.S. clearly did have an interest in Mr. Perez because as is in the record, Cuba released him based on pressure from Senator Powell, Senator Javits, a President Carter, and the Catholic Church. So this country clearly did have some interest in Mr. Perez. What is your response to Mr. Kurenski's argument that the court, the State Court, did not make any findings in showing that it was considering the FSIA and that the findings that it actually did make negated jurisdiction under that statute? Your Honor, we believe that the citation to the Alien Tord claims that was an error by Council, which the court then picked up upon. However, there are fact you don't necessarily have to look to the label of a statute as in the National Air Traffic Controllers case, as long as you have sufficient facts in the record that would support the exercise of jurisdiction. 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