Blackwater Bodyguards Promised Immunity By State Dept.
WASHINGTON - The State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month’s deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians, The Associated Press has learned.
As a result, it will likely be months before the United States can—if ever—bring criminal charges in the case that has infuriated the Iraqi government.
“Once you give immunity, you can’t take it away,” said a senior law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.
FBI agents were returning to Washington late Monday from Baghdad, where they have been trying to collect evidence in the Sept. 16 embassy convoy shooting without using statements from Blackwater employees who were given immunity.
Three senior law enforcement officials said all the Blackwater bodyguards involved—both in the vehicle convoy and in at least two helicopters above—were given the legal protections as investigators from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security sought to find out what happened. The bureau is an arm of the State Department.
The investigative misstep comes in the wake of already-strained relations between the United States and Iraq, which is demanding the right to launch its own prosecution of the Blackwater bodyguards.
Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell declined comment about the U.S. investigation. Based in Moyock, N.C., Blackwater USA is the largest private security firm protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq.
The company has said its Sept. 16 convoy was under attack before it opened fire in west Baghdad’s Nisoor Square, killing 17 Iraqis. A follow-up investigation by the Iraqi government, however, concluded that Blackwater’s men were unprovoked. No witnesses have been found to contradict that finding.
(AP)
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Immunity? Are they frickin kidding me? Do we live in a police state now? If we are not held to a higher standard than our enemies aren’t we just as bad as they? That is just pathetic.
October 29th, 2007 at 5:34 pmKipp, Never had someone trying to kill you, huh?
Finally State does something right and the “woe is asshat” brigade pipes up.
Bleeding fuckin’ hearts, I’ve had it with the whole damned boo hoo crowd. “No better than them?” Bullshit, we win they lose. Ergo we’re better.
October 29th, 2007 at 6:08 pmKipp…when was the last time you were in an environment were the use of lethal force was the norm. Imminity was not meant for a wanton killing of innocent people so get that dumbass thought out of your head…
October 29th, 2007 at 6:28 pmThe Iraqi investigation IMMEDIATELY concluded Blackwater guards weren’t provoked. Maybe they should’ve spent more time investigating the case before making conclusions.
October 29th, 2007 at 7:48 pmLike the other indignit retarded half wit posting at the top..
October 29th, 2007 at 8:42 pmDanielle, exactly, one day investigation and they knew Blackwater wasn’t provoked. Another example of the wussiness of these dwellers of the 7th century. We’ll go after the US because we know they’ll pay out. Hey, Iraqi government, go after the enemy and mind your own dam business. Oh, I forgot, the enemy scares you.
October 29th, 2007 at 8:50 pm