Federal Prosecutors Say Blackwater 'Specifically Intended to Kill' Civilians

[autorank]

That's about as direct as it gets. I'm impressed. I trust that the feds will focus on the reports of the same tyreats to kill in the USA raised in a civil case in theEastern District of Virginia. Prosecutions in that court move right along. There are few delays tolerated. Could be very big news very soon. Great work by Scahill on this, courageous.

Federal Prosecutors Say Blackwater 'Specifically Intended to Kill' Civilians
http://inteldaily.com/news/173/ARTICLE/11778/2009-09-09.html

By Jeremy Scahill
Last updated:
September 9th, 2009

The US government’s allegations back-up the explosive testimony of two former Blackwater employees. Gov’t says Blackwater shot Iraqis as “payback for 9/11”

A month ago, most major, corporate media outlets ignored the sworn statements of two former Blackwater employees, one of whom—identified in court papers as John Doe #2— alleged that the company’s owner Erik Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and that Prince’s companies "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life." Most media outlets ignored the numerous, specific allegations contained in the sworn affidavit of John Doe #1 about Blackwater operatives shooting at defenseless civilians—most of them based on John Doe #1’s personal experience working in Iraq for Blackwater.

Now, it is not just former employees making these allegations.

On September 7, federal prosecutors in Washington DC submitted papers in the criminal case against five Blackwater operatives for their alleged role in the 2007 Nisour Square shooting in Baghdad that killed 17 Iraqi civilians and wounded more than 20 others. Blackwater forces "fired at innocent Iraqis not because they actually believed that they were in imminent danger of serious bodily injury and actually believed that they had no alternative to the use of deadly force, but rather that they fired at innocent Iraqi civilians because of their hostility toward Iraqis and their grave indifference to the harm that their actions would cause,” the acting US Attorney in DC, Channing Phillips, alleges in court papers submitted by Kenneth C. Kohl, the lead prosecutor on this case. "he defendants specifically intended to kill or seriously injure the Iraqi civilians that they fired upon at Nisur Square."

http://inteldaily.com/news/173/ARTICLE/11778/2009-09-09.html

[ihavenobias]

1. Aren't we still giving them money?

K & R

[autorank]

4. There was that air services contract Sachill wrote about

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6369818&mesg_id=6369818

Rendition Air or something like that.

[truedelphi]

11. Good to see Pelosi speaking out against Afghanistan

however due to the need for a war against Iran, we will be in Afghanistan a long long time, I fear. What the average person wants isn't important.

And contracting out the defense services allows for contractors to submit multi-billion dollar "bids" (If something can be called a bid when no ne else is allowed to do any bidding!?!)

But the more expensive something is, the greater the chances for a juicy kickback. So the privatization policy of the defense contracted personnel will continue.

And I sure hope the judge there in VA is as honest as he is legally knowledgeable.

[The Magistrate]

2. This Should Be One Hell Of a Trial, Sir....

[autorank]

5. You know your juris prudence, without doubt

As well you should. I'm very close to the venue and plan to attend some of the more engaging
sessions. This is a very serious federal district. They get the job done and do so without
fanfare.

"-Neil MacBride (Eastern District of Virginia): The Justice Department Associate Deputy Attorney General was nominated Aug. 6. MacBride would replace Chuck Rosenberg, who resigned in October 2008. Read more about MacBride here." Seems quite capable.

[The Magistrate]

7. First-Hand Reports Would Be Very Welcome, Sir

State of mind is tricky to prove, but it can certainly be done, and it sounds like they have some solid backing here.

[autorank]

8. I will provide a full report,

which I can only hope satisfies SheWhoMustBeObeyed.

[Me.]

3. And Where The Hell Is The State Dept. In All Of This?

Another thing to consider is that we have more contractors in those countries than soldiers.

[autorank]

6. So lets bring the soldiers home and leave the contractors n/t

[formercia]

9. Off to the greatest.....

Off to the Gaol with 'em.

[truedelphi]

10. Great bit of news. When I saw yr PM was about the courts

I thought maybe it was the Supreme Court hearing regarding the Campaign finance and laws surrounding it.

But this is a find. And I hope that Blackwater has both a hanging jury and a hanging judge.

Thanks And K & R.