Immunity Deal Hampers Blackwater Inquiry

[Terri S]

Tuesday October 30, 2007 2:46 AM

By LARA JAKES JORDAN
Associated Press Writer

link

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month's deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians, The Associated Press has learned.

The immunity deal has delayed a criminal inquiry into the Sept. 16 killings and could undermine any effort to prosecute security contractors for their role in the incident that has infuriated the Iraqi government.

``Once you give immunity, you can't take it away,'' said a senior law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.

State Department officials declined to confirm or deny that immunity had been granted. One official - who refused to be quoted by name- said: ``If, in fact, such a decision was made, it was done without any input or authorization from any senior State Department official in Washington.''

Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd and FBI spokesman Rich Kolko declined comment.

[Canuckistanian]

1. Since when can the State Dept. grant any kind of immunity?

Are they a court now?

[Dewlso]

2. Under bush anything is a possibility

I wouldn't doubt that lame duck administration has pulled strings for their favorite soldiers. (mercs)

[me b zola]

3. I want to hear what Congress is going to say about this

Which committee is handling the blackwater hearings?