Exxon Mobil Must Face Indonesians’ Claims of Murder and Torture

Exxon Mobil Corp. must face a number of tort claims in Washington alleging it supported killings and tortures in Indonesia nearly two decades ago.

But the company is entitled to dismissal of claims under the federal Alien Tort Statute, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said June 3.

The federal claims fail under a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling because the allegations have caused “significant diplomatic strife,” the court said. The statute gives the federal courts jurisdiction to hear suits filed by non-U.S. citizens for torts committed in violation of international law.

The court, in a ...