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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Foreigners held for Iraq shooting | Foreigners held for Iraq shooting |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A group of at least 32 foreigners have been detained in Baghdad after an Iraqi woman was shot and injured, say Iraqi government officials. | A group of at least 32 foreigners have been detained in Baghdad after an Iraqi woman was shot and injured, say Iraqi government officials. |
| Among those held are private security guards, with early reports saying two Americans were among those held. The US military later said none were arrested. | |
| The incident occurred as guards tried to clear the way for their convoy in a traffic jam, an Iraqi official said. | |
| The Iraqi government has vowed to crack down on the conduct of security firms. | |
| In the United States, an investigation is under way after 17 Iraqi civilians were shot dead by guards working for the North Carolina-based Blackwater firm on 16 September. | In the United States, an investigation is under way after 17 Iraqi civilians were shot dead by guards working for the North Carolina-based Blackwater firm on 16 September. |
| Investigation | Investigation |
| The latest shooting incident occurred on Monday. | The latest shooting incident occurred on Monday. |
| This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law Ali al-Dabbagh Spokesman for the Iraq government | This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law Ali al-Dabbagh Spokesman for the Iraq government |
| Brigadier General Qasim Ata of the Iraqi army told AFP news agency the suspects had "opened fire randomly on citizens in Karrada" district of Baghdad, and a woman had been wounded. | Brigadier General Qasim Ata of the Iraqi army told AFP news agency the suspects had "opened fire randomly on citizens in Karrada" district of Baghdad, and a woman had been wounded. |
| "They are in custody now and the incident is under investigation," he was quoted as saying. | "They are in custody now and the incident is under investigation," he was quoted as saying. |
| The woman's condition is unknown. | The woman's condition is unknown. |
| Two Americans working as guards for the firm are among those in detention, spokesmen for the Iraqi government and the Iraqi military told news agencies. | Two Americans working as guards for the firm are among those in detention, spokesmen for the Iraqi government and the Iraqi military told news agencies. |
| Also in detention are some of the foreign workers - now reported to include Sri Lankans and Nepalese - whom the guards were escorting through Karrada district when the shooting incident allegedly happened. | Also in detention are some of the foreign workers - now reported to include Sri Lankans and Nepalese - whom the guards were escorting through Karrada district when the shooting incident allegedly happened. |
| Ten Iraqis were also detained. | Ten Iraqis were also detained. |
| It is unclear at present which of the detainees is accused of the shooting. | It is unclear at present which of the detainees is accused of the shooting. |
| Mystery firm | Mystery firm |
| The private security firm in question has not been identified. Early statements from Iraqi officials suggested it was Italian. | The private security firm in question has not been identified. Early statements from Iraqi officials suggested it was Italian. |
| Italy's foreign ministry says it believes no Italians were among those arrested. | Italy's foreign ministry says it believes no Italians were among those arrested. |
| After the arrests, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency that those held would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday. | After the arrests, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency that those held would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday. |
| "This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," Mr Dabbagh said | "This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," Mr Dabbagh said |
| "Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released." | "Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released." |
| In the wake of the Blackwater controversy, the Iraqi government promised it would crack down on the activities of the multiple foreign security contractors operating in the country. | In the wake of the Blackwater controversy, the Iraqi government promised it would crack down on the activities of the multiple foreign security contractors operating in the country. |
| At the end of October it approved a draft law revoking their immunity from prosecution. | At the end of October it approved a draft law revoking their immunity from prosecution. |