Iraqi panel: Blackwater guards should face murder charges

[babylonsister]

Iraqi panel: Blackwater guards should face murder charges


BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An Iraqi government panel investigating last month's deadly shooting involving Blackwater security contractors calls the guards' actions "premeditated murder."

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Sunday that the investigative commission formed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki accused the American company's contractors of indiscriminately firing on citizens and violating the rights of Iraqis.

The September 16 shooting in Baghdad's Nusoor Square left 17 people dead and 27 others wounded, al-Dabbagh said. Seven vehicles were destroyed.

Al-Dabbagh said the commission, formed September 22, determined there was no proof the Blackwater convoy was under direct or indirect fire.

"Not even a stone was thrown at them," al-Dabbagh said.

He added the contractors violated the rules of conduct and regulations for private security firms operating in Iraq.

"They must be held accountable according to the law," al-Dabbagh said, emphasizing that those responsible should be prosecuted for "premeditated murder."

more...

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/10/08/iraq.main/

[Disturbed]

1. Blackwater should be prosecuted for 2nd Degree Murder.

I doubt if that will happen. Will Blackwater even be forced to pay monetarily for their murder spree?

[dailykoff]

3. At least.

Add their other crimes and under the felony murder rule you get first-degree.

http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/a-z/murder_first_degree.html

[dailykoff]

2. Let's see if anybody here has the courage to agree with them

other than maybe Kerry. I'm not waiting by the phone.

[Disturbed]

4. We shall find out just how "Sovereign" Iraq really is.

This it the test.

[Kagemusha]

5. To all cheerleaders for the primacy of the Iraqi judicial system...

Glance at this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3020813

I don't think much of Blackwater, but then again, I don't think much of the Iraqi government's reputation for fairness and justice.

[babylonsister]

7. It would be nice if justice could be found somewhere, there or here.

Seems we have similar problems with no resolution in sight.

[Bitwit1234]

6. If the charge our military with murder why not these killers also.