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: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Blackwater security firm ends Baghdad operations as contract expires

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

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[JURIST] The security company known formerly as Blackwater Worldwide on Thursday concluded its operations in Baghdad as its contract to protect American diplomats in Iraq ended. A spokesperson from the US Embassy in Iraq said that the company, nos called XE, will remain in southern Iraq until the summer. Virgina-based Triple Canopy will take over operations. The US State Department announced in February that the Blackwater contract would not be renewed when it expired in May. The decision not to renew the contract was made after the Iraqi government invoked its rights under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by refusing to renew Blackwater's operating license. The decision by the Iraqi government was motivated in part by the alleged killing of 17 civilians by Blackwater guards in September 2007. In January, five Blackwater guards pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, and weapons charges. A sixth guard pleaded guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter and attempt to commit manslaughter for his role in the same incident. In November, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation into the incident concluded that the shootings were unjustified.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on May 07, 2009 (boomark / email).