Blackwater Prosecution

U.S. prosecutors say Blackwater Worldwide security guards used machine guns and grenade launchers in an attack on unarmed Iraqi civilians, some of whom had their hands up.

By: Katie Hammond | WKRG-TV
Published: December 08, 2008

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WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. prosecutors say Blackwater Worldwide
security guards used machine guns and grenade launchers in an
attack on unarmed Iraqi civilians, some of whom had their hands up.
Prosecutors unsealed a 35-count indictment against the five
guards Monday for a 2007 shooting in Baghdad. The guards
surrendered in Utah, where they will argue the case should be
tried.
The Justice Department charged the men with manslaughter,
attempted manslaughter and using a machine gun in a crime of
violence. The latter charge carries a 30-year mandatory prison
sentence.
A sixth guard admitted in a plea deal to killing at least one
Iraqi in the shooting.
U.S. attorney Jeffrey Taylor says the guards were authorized
only to take defensive actions.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)