A federal judge has ruled that victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks are not allowed to seize billions of dollars in assets owned by Afghanistan’s central bank (DAB).

US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ruled that Afghanistan’s central bank was “immune from jurisdiction.” Judge Netburn wrote, “The Taliban’s victims have fought for years for justice, accountability, and compensation. They are entitled to no less. But the law limits what compensation the court may authorize, and those limits put the DAB’s assets beyond its authority.”

Judge Netburns decision will now be reviewed by US District Judge George Daniels, who is overseeing the case and will ultimately decide whether to accept her ruling.

Lawyers for victims of the September 11 attacks argue that the seized money (from the Afghan central bank during the Taliban takeover) should be used to pay off a previous judgment against the Taliban.