This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7033048.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iraq urges Blackwater prosecution | Iraq urges Blackwater prosecution |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Iraq's government has called for guards from the US security firm Blackwater to be prosecuted for the shooting of 17 civilians in Baghdad last month. | Iraq's government has called for guards from the US security firm Blackwater to be prosecuted for the shooting of 17 civilians in Baghdad last month. |
| An official inquiry found the guards had not been attacked, as they had claimed, calling it a deliberate crime. | An official inquiry found the guards had not been attacked, as they had claimed, calling it a deliberate crime. |
| Blackwater has insisted its employees responded lawfully to an attack. The US embassy is conducting its own probe. | Blackwater has insisted its employees responded lawfully to an attack. The US embassy is conducting its own probe. |
| The incident has sparked controversy about foreign security contractors acting with impunity in Iraq. | The incident has sparked controversy about foreign security contractors acting with impunity in Iraq. |
| The official Iraqi government investigation said the shooting killed six more people than the 11 who had previously been believed to have died. | The official Iraqi government investigation said the shooting killed six more people than the 11 who had previously been believed to have died. |
| The three-member panel led by Defence Minister Abdul Qader al-Obeidi is reported also to recommend that Blackwater pay compensation to the victims. | The three-member panel led by Defence Minister Abdul Qader al-Obeidi is reported also to recommend that Blackwater pay compensation to the victims. |
| The company has not responded to the latest allegations, but has disputed previous accusations that its staff were the first to open fire during the incident. | The company has not responded to the latest allegations, but has disputed previous accusations that its staff were the first to open fire during the incident. |
| Hold to account | Hold to account |
| "The investigation committee appointed by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki... has found that there was no evidence that the convoy of Blackwater came under fire directly or indirectly," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said. | "The investigation committee appointed by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki... has found that there was no evidence that the convoy of Blackwater came under fire directly or indirectly," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said. |
| "It was not hit even by a stone." | "It was not hit even by a stone." |
| BLACKWATER USA FACTS Founded in 1997 by a former US Navy SealHeadquarters in North CarolinaOne of at least 28 private security companies in IraqEmploys 744 US citizens, 231 third-country nationals, and 12 Iraqis to protect US state department in IraqProvided protection for former CPA head Paul BremerFour employees killed by mob in Falluja in March 2004 href="/1/hi/world/americas/7033332.stm">What happened class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7000645.stm">Profile: Blackwater USA Guards' impunity scrutinised | |
| Mr Dabbagh said the Iraqi cabinet would look at the investigative committee's recommendations and "take legal steps to hold the company to account". | Mr Dabbagh said the Iraqi cabinet would look at the investigative committee's recommendations and "take legal steps to hold the company to account". |
| The committee found that 23 people had been wounded in the 16 September shooting, when Blackwater employees opened fire on civilians at al-Nisoor square in Baghdad. | The committee found that 23 people had been wounded in the 16 September shooting, when Blackwater employees opened fire on civilians at al-Nisoor square in Baghdad. |
| The findings echo a US congressional investigation into Blackwater which reportedly describe the company's use of force as "excessive" and "pre-emptive". | The findings echo a US congressional investigation into Blackwater which reportedly describe the company's use of force as "excessive" and "pre-emptive". |
| Blackwater's founder Erik Prince has insisted his firm's personnel acted in self-defence after insurgents attacked the US diplomatic convoy they were protecting. | Blackwater's founder Erik Prince has insisted his firm's personnel acted in self-defence after insurgents attacked the US diplomatic convoy they were protecting. |
| Blackwater is the main firm employed by the US state department to provide security for its staff and visiting officials and businessmen. | Blackwater is the main firm employed by the US state department to provide security for its staff and visiting officials and businessmen. |
| The state department has handed its inquiry into the shooting over to the FBI. | The state department has handed its inquiry into the shooting over to the FBI. |
| In the days following the incident, which caused widespread anger in Iraq, the interior ministry drafted legislation bring private security contractors under Iraqi law. | In the days following the incident, which caused widespread anger in Iraq, the interior ministry drafted legislation bring private security contractors under Iraqi law. |
| Armed guards contracted by US and other government agencies were granted immunity from prosecution in Iraq under an agreement dating from 2003. | Armed guards contracted by US and other government agencies were granted immunity from prosecution in Iraq under an agreement dating from 2003. |