DATELINE IRAQ -- BLACKWATER SUED
Baghdad shooting victims sue Blackwater By Randall Mikkelsen
2 hours, 24 minutes ago -- NOW 2138 HRS HERE
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An injured survivor and relatives of three Iraqis killed in Baghdad on September 16 when employees of private security company Blackwater USA opened fire on civilians sued the firm in U.S. court on Thursday.
The Center for Constitutional Rights, a legal advocacy group, said it filed the suit charging that Blackwater and its affiliates violated U.S. law in committing "extrajudicial killings and war crimes."
The killing of 17 Iraqis in the Baghdad incident created tensions between the Iraqi government and Washington and sparked calls for tighter controls on private contractors, who are immune from prosecution in Iraq.
The suit charges that Blackwater "created and fostered a culture of lawlessness amongst its employees, encouraging them to act in the company's financial interests at the expense of innocent human life."
The suit was filed in the names of Talib Mutlaq Deewan, injured in the incident, and the estates of Himoud Saed Atban, Usama Fadhil Abbass and Oday Ismail Ibraheem. It seeks unspecified compensatory damages for death, physical, mental and economic injuries, and punitive damages.
Those bringing the suit also want to compel the testimony of Blackwater founder and ex-Navy SEAL Erik Prince, who told Congress last week that his staff had acted appropriately in the incident and had returned fire at threatening targets.
"We look forward to forcing Blackwater and Mr. Prince to tell the world under oath why this attack happened," said Susan Burke, an attorney representing the suing Iraqis.
The Iraqi government has accused Blackwater of deliberately killing the 17. A government source has said Baghdad wants Blackwater to pay $8 million in compensation to each victim's family.
There are at least three investigations into the September 16 Blackwater incident, which occurred while the contractor was conducting a convoy through Baghdad.
Blackwater has received U.S. government contracts worth more than $1 billion since 2001. It is under intense scrutiny for its security work in Iraq, where the firm has about 1,000 personnel to protect the U.S. mission and its diplomats from attack.
Attempts to reach Blackwater on Thursday for comment on the lawsuit were not immediately successful.
WELL, IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER.....
2 hours, 24 minutes ago -- NOW 2138 HRS HERE
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An injured survivor and relatives of three Iraqis killed in Baghdad on September 16 when employees of private security company Blackwater USA opened fire on civilians sued the firm in U.S. court on Thursday.
The Center for Constitutional Rights, a legal advocacy group, said it filed the suit charging that Blackwater and its affiliates violated U.S. law in committing "extrajudicial killings and war crimes."
The killing of 17 Iraqis in the Baghdad incident created tensions between the Iraqi government and Washington and sparked calls for tighter controls on private contractors, who are immune from prosecution in Iraq.
The suit charges that Blackwater "created and fostered a culture of lawlessness amongst its employees, encouraging them to act in the company's financial interests at the expense of innocent human life."
The suit was filed in the names of Talib Mutlaq Deewan, injured in the incident, and the estates of Himoud Saed Atban, Usama Fadhil Abbass and Oday Ismail Ibraheem. It seeks unspecified compensatory damages for death, physical, mental and economic injuries, and punitive damages.
Those bringing the suit also want to compel the testimony of Blackwater founder and ex-Navy SEAL Erik Prince, who told Congress last week that his staff had acted appropriately in the incident and had returned fire at threatening targets.
"We look forward to forcing Blackwater and Mr. Prince to tell the world under oath why this attack happened," said Susan Burke, an attorney representing the suing Iraqis.
The Iraqi government has accused Blackwater of deliberately killing the 17. A government source has said Baghdad wants Blackwater to pay $8 million in compensation to each victim's family.
There are at least three investigations into the September 16 Blackwater incident, which occurred while the contractor was conducting a convoy through Baghdad.
Blackwater has received U.S. government contracts worth more than $1 billion since 2001. It is under intense scrutiny for its security work in Iraq, where the firm has about 1,000 personnel to protect the U.S. mission and its diplomats from attack.
Attempts to reach Blackwater on Thursday for comment on the lawsuit were not immediately successful.
WELL, IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER.....
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This is worng on so many levels. I just wonder why a court would hear this case. Don't you have to have some type of standing to bring a case in a US court?
Having worked for KBR for 8 years I have nothing but sympathy for the employees of Blackwater. Just trying to do their job and getting bashed by the press 24-7.
"Blackwater the new Halliburton"0 -
Here's the deal. Standing refers to your stake in the claim. I can't sue in my name for someone else's injuries. Jurisdiction is the issue. Now, technically, they could sue in Iraq under Iraqi law, assuming a. that there is such a thing, and b. that the US would recognize a foreign judgment.
I think the smart thing to do is to sue here. Now, the next issue becomes that of Governmental Immunity. This, to me, is the interesting issue. Is Blackwater covered by some form of governmental immunity? Is it engaged in the discharge of a governmental function? Very interesting...0 -
Mercenaries:
If your gonna take the money, you have to take the heat.
Doug0 -
Quote: "We look forward to forcing Blackwater and Mr. Prince to tell the world under oath why this attack happened," said Susan Burke, an attorney representing the suing Iraqis."... Maybe we should sue the
Govt of Iraq for not keep its own people in line. Also a lawsuit for all the G.I.'s who where killed by Iraq civilians (terrorists).0 -
I'm real sorry to hear that Blackwater is finding out the limits of its immunity... it was a peach spot to be in while it lasted, but all good things... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by joeaf1911a1
Quote: "We look forward to forcing Blackwater and Mr. Prince to tell the world under oath why this attack happened," said Susan Burke, an attorney representing the suing Iraqis."... Maybe we should sue the
Govt of Iraq for not keep its own people in line. Also a lawsuit for all the G.I.'s who where killed by Iraq civilians (terrorists).
"Susan Burke" doesn't sound like an Iraqi name.....
Sounds like an opportunist out to make a name for herself.0 -
Just another way to hobble the US military. Don't allow soldiers to do their jobs and don't allow contractors to do thier jobs= the enemy wins. 0 -
We've seen civilians providing cover for ambushers on Utube who then dance around the burning vehicles and bodies.
Dollars to donuts those seeking compensation for this incident were just such people; directly or indirectly involved in the ambush.0 -
can blackwater sue the terrorists and insurgents in iraq for killing their employees ? i'm sure jgreen would approve of that lawsuit, so would EMM 0 -
Give Blackwater immunity and more ammo. 0 -
Like I have said before. We have super-advanced weaponry but we have forgotten how to fight a war. Do whatever it takes to win. In WWII we leveled cities and didn't shed a tear. Now we have to base every action on whether or not those involved will end up in a courtroom defending their actions.
War is not fought in courtrooms, it is fought on the streets.
I do not agree with the role that Blackwater is playing in the war, but I do not fault the individuals.0 -
Blackwater doesn't have standing. The families of the employees that were killed do have standing. However, they woudl have to sue under Iraqi law, in Iraq. Jgreen would approve of such a suit. 0
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