Exxon faces lawsuit on killings in Aceh

U.S. oil firm Exxon Mobil must face a lawsuit that claims Indonesian soldiers guarding a natural gas processing plant in Aceh province tortured and killed local residents, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled Wednesday as reported by agency.

The court upheld a lower court's denial of Exxon Mobil's request to throw out the case, arguing that the case raises political questions outside the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.

The suit, filed in 2001 by 11 Indonesians, claims the soldiers were under Exxon Mobil's direction and control, making the company liable. The suit seeks unspecified monetary compensation and a court order prohibiting the abuses.(*)