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Blackwater settles lawsuits over Iraqi deaths

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

[JURIST] US security firm Blackwater on Wednesday reached a settlement agreement in seven federal lawsuits filed by Iraqi citizens. The suits claimed that Blackwater, now known as Xe, created a reckless culture that resulted in numerous deaths, including the deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians in September 2007 and the 2006 killing of an Iraqi guard. The suits accused Blackwater founder Erik Prince of personal responsibility. The terms of the settlement have not been made public, but Xe said in a statement that it is "pleased" with the resolution. The settlement comes just a week after after a US judge dismissed charges against five guards indicted for their involvement in the September 2007 killings. Judge Richardo Urbina of the US District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed voluntary manslaughter and weapons charges against the five guards, finding that statements were obtained in violation of the Constitution. Earlier this week, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that Iraq will file lawsuits in both US and Iraqi courts against the guards. The five defendants pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and weapons charges last January. The guards were indicted in December 2008 on charges of voluntary manslaughter, attempt to commit manslaughter, and using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. A sixth guard pleaded guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter and attempt to commit manslaughter for his role in the same incident. The Blackwater incident caused domestic outrage in Iraq and has prompted legal controversy in the US.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on January 07, 2010 (boomark / email).