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February 18, 2009

Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Blackwater Charges in Iraqi Deaths
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A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against five Blackwater
mercenaries accused in the mass killing of fourteen Iraqis in September
2007. Defense attorneys had contended the US government doesn’t have
jurisdiction to bring charges, because the guards were granted immunity.
Judge Ricardo Urbina refused to drop the charges but said he thinks the
defense argument is “strong” and should be decided by the trial judge or
jury. Blackwater recently renamed itself “Xe” in an attempt to repair
its image.



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