Republic of Sudan v. Opati
In brief
The Supreme Court refused to hear Sudan’s petition and did not decide whether federal law requires state actors for an extrajudicial killing.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · May 26, 2020
- What it’s about
- The Republic of Sudan asked the Court to review whether federal law defines an extrajudicial killing as a summary execution by government actors.
- Who it affects
- This order gave no Supreme Court answer about the meaning of “extrajudicial killing.” It did not endorse either side’s arguments or decide who should prevail.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court denied review (refused to hear the case), so it did not decide that question; Justice Kavanaugh did not participate.
The dispute involved how federal law applies to claims against a foreign government, but this order addressed only whether the Supreme Court would hear Sudan’s petition.
Question presented
Whether the definition of an extrajudicial killing under federal law requires a summary execution by state actors.
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED. Justice Kavanaugh took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
What's next
This Supreme Court docket action is complete. The order provides no further Supreme Court step and does not resolve the underlying legal question.
Documents
Opinions
Key filings
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
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Status changed from pending to dismissed
Opinion added: Opati
Brief added: Petition
More questions
- What did the Supreme Court do in Sudan v. Opati?
- It refused to hear Sudan’s petition (denied review) and did not decide the meaning of “extrajudicial killing.”
- What question did Sudan ask the Court to review?
- Sudan asked whether federal law requires an “extrajudicial killing” to be a summary execution by state actors.
- Did the Court decide whether state actors are required?
- No. The procedural denial did not decide that legal question or endorse either side’s position.
- What happens next in this Supreme Court docket?
- The docket action is finished; the order provides no further step and leaves the underlying question undecided in this case.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.