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Iraq Will Sue Blackwater Guards

Dismissal of manslaughter charges leaves Baghdad irate

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 1, 2010 4:27 PM CST
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(Newser) – Outraged by an American judge's dismissal of manslaughter charges against five security contractors accused of massacring 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007, Iraq plans to sue the former Blackwater Worldwide security guards. "We were expecting that American justice system is fair and independent," an Iraqi lawyer tells CNN. "It's clear that the justice system in America is unjust and unfair."

A government spokesman said "investigations carried out by specialized Iraqi authorities unequivocally found that the Blackwater guards committed murder and broke use-of-force rules when there was no threat requiring the use of force." He later told a state broadcaster: "Investigations carried out by specialized Iraqi authorities unequivocally found that the Blackwater guards committed murder and broke use-of-force rules when there was no threat requiring the use of force." Blackwater is now known as Xe.

In this November 2009 photo, an Iraqi police officer regulates traffic next to al-Nisoor square in Baghdad, where Blackwater guards allegedly shot 17 Iraqi civilians dead on on Sept. 16, 2007.
In this November 2009 photo, an Iraqi police officer regulates traffic next to al-Nisoor square in Baghdad, where Blackwater guards allegedly shot 17 Iraqi civilians dead on on Sept. 16, 2007.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
A bullet hole on a light pole at al-Nisoor square in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2009. On Sept. 16, 2007, Blackwater Worldwide security guards allegedly shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians at the square.
A bullet hole on a light pole at al-Nisoor square in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2009. On Sept. 16, 2007, Blackwater Worldwide security guards allegedly shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians at the square.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
cognitivefilter
Jan 4, 2010 2:46 AM CST
blackwater, that is
cognitivefilter
Jan 4, 2010 2:45 AM CST
good! these guys are OUT OF CONTROL
Tariq
Jan 3, 2010 12:59 PM CST
American justice sucks, like a ho suckin cha cha man cock.

 
Iraq • Baghdad • civilian casualties • Blackwater • Erik Prince • civilians • Xe Services

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