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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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December 19th,
2007 - Rights Group Sues Blackwater |
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By Associated Press December 19, 2007 Washington - A human rights
group filed its second lawsuit against Blackwater Worldwide contractors
Wednesday, accusing the security firm of killing an Iraqi rug salesman in a
September shooting. Referring to Blackwater
guards as "shooters" and "mercenaries," the Center for
Constitutional Rights accused the company of war crimes, assault, wrongful
death, negligent hiring and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit involves a Sept.
9 shooting near the al-Watahba Square in Baghdad, where attorneys say
Blackwater guards fired without justification into a crowd of civilians. The
rights group filed the lawsuit on behalf of Ali Hussamaldeen Ibrahim
Albazzaz, whom it says died in the shooting. That was a week before a
shooting at Nisoor Square, where 17 Iraqi civilians were killed. The Justice
Department is investigating that shooting and a grand jury has heard testimony
from Blackwater guards who were involved. The Center for
Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit regarding that shooting in October. Wednesday's lawsuit relies
heavily on news reports but lawyers say they will be able to prove their case
with Blackwater documents as they become available before trial. Blackwater protects U.S.
diplomats as they move about on Baghdad's dangerous streets. The State
Department has counted 56 shooting incidents involving Blackwater guards in
Iraq this year. All were being reviewed as part of the comprehensive inquiry
ordered by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Attorneys and a spokeswoman
for Blackwater did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Blackwater chairman Erik Prince has said his guards "acted appropriately
at all times." Copyright © 2007 The
Associated Press. External link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNHPWlAKhppP6u09eYb4SpnhwS2QD8TKNLEG0 |