Charges uncertain in Blackwater inquiry
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says it has not decided whether to prosecute North Carolina-based Blackwater bodyguards for the September shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians.
A Justice spokesman says it’s an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to speculate on possible prosecution.
It’s unclear if the Justice Department will be able to bring criminal charges. The guards involved were initially given limited immunity by State Department in exchange for their statements about what happened.
Moyock-based Blackwater is the largest private security firm protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq. The company said its security convoy was under attack before it opened fire. The New York Times
and Washington Post report the FBI concluded the shootings of 14 of the 17 victims were unjustified.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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