December 23, 2007

Rights Group Sues Blackwater

The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 19, 2007; 3:08 PM

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.
ad_icon

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."

No comments:

ShareThis