Hi SC, Thanks for your input, from what I gather (from friends) it seems that the courts jurisdiction has to do with the fact that Lebanon was the destination and as such, the airline had a business activity there (an establishment or ties to that country) as an example, I was told of the Gulf Air Crash where the plaintiffs sued the carrier in French courts, based on the fact that the aircraft (Airbus) was manufactured there... Well I guess it is rather complicated. I do think that the difference in sentencing (Pilot vs. Management) is disproportionate. The Management, being present and involved should have been given more or less the same sentence if warranted. 20 Years ? seems to be harsh, but I wasn't there so...