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December 8, 2008

Five Blackwater Guards Indicted for Killing 17 Iraqi Civilians
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The Justice Department is expected to unveil indictments today against
five Blackwater guards for their involvement in the killings of
seventeen Iraqis in Baghdad in September of last year. The Blackwater
guards facing charges have been identified as former Marine Evan
Liberty; former Army sergeant Nick Slatten; former Marine Corporal
Dustin Heard; former Marine Corporal Donald Ball; and Paul Slough, who
served in the Army and the Texas National Guard. While the indictments
will be unveiled in Washington, the Blackwater guards are expected to
surrender today in Utah. By surrendering in Utah, the men could argue
the case should be heard in a far more conservative, pro-gun venue than
Washington. In Iraq, Mohamed al-Kinani called on the United States to
prosecute the management of Blackwater as well.

Mohamed al-Kinani: “We hope to see a fair judgment that will impose the
maximum penalty for them, not only the guards but the director who gave
them the authority, weapons, vehicles and immunity. He must be taken to
trial, because this is our demand.”

Mohamed al-Kinani was in his car with several members of his family when
it came under fire from Blackwater guards. His nine-year-old son died in
the shooting.



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