Iraq instructs lawyers to take on Blackwater cases

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

Iraq has asked its lawyers in the United States to take on U.S. security firm Blackwater on behalf of victims shot by the company's security guards at a Baghdad traffic circle in 2007, officials said on Monday.

Fadhil Mohammed Jawad, a legal adviser to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said a law firm used by the Iraqi government in the United States had been asked to contact lawyers previously hired by victims of the shooting and their families to take over their cases.

"The Iraqi government will take the matter up on behalf of the families of the victims," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said at a meeting with the families and victims.

"They have rights, and the aggressor must recognise their rights and the right to compensation because this was a despicable treatment of innocent people," Dabbagh said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE60H1TG.htm

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Iraqis authorize government to sue Blackwater
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_on_bi_ge/ml_iraq_blackwater

[lib2DaBone]

1. It doesn't seem as if anyone in our Govt gives a damm..

Blackwater.. murder..kidnap..torture.. Ehhhh

[90-percent]

2. Wow! Ten recs

Ten recs and I may get the chance to be the first comment! yippee!

If I can't get Bush and Cheney's heads on stakes, I would gladly settle for Erik Prince!

The guy should be on the cover of WAR CRIMINAL MONTHLY, as their man of the year!

Prosecute all American War Criminals!

-90% Jimmy

[democrank]

3. K & R

for all those innocents killed or maimed by Erik Prince`s thugs.

[boppers]

4. 20 recs.

Nice to see the wheels of justice turning (if slowly), especially since the US seems to have totally screwed up the case.

[Turborama]

5. US Blackwater [class action] lawsuit signatures sought by Iraq

Source: BBC

Iraq has begun collecting signatures for a class action lawsuit on behalf of people killed or wounded in incidents involving US security firm Blackwater.

It will seek compensation for a number of such cases, the office of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said.

Incidents include the 2007 killing of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad's Nisoor Square.

Last month, a US judge dismissed charges against five Blackwater guards over those killings, which Iraqi officials described as "regrettable".

Immediately after the US decision, the Iraqi government issued several angry statements pledging that it would continue to "act forcefully and decisively to prosecute".

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8466303.stm

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Good! It's also good to see the BBC haven't bought into the name change.

[bemildred]

6. So where do I sign? nt

[winyanstaz]

7. Will Iraq ever see justice with the hired killers being allowed free reign?

This just gives the green light to all Blackwater killers that they will never have to face justice. I am ashamed of that judge for dismissing the case.
I hope the people of Iraq will one day see true justice.

[Vidar]

8. I wish Iraq the best with this.