December 24, 2020
1 min read

Iraq urges Trump to reconsider ‘Blackwater pardons’

The Ministry will follow up on the issue with the government of the US through diplomatic channels to urge it to reconsider the pardon decision, the statement added…reports Asian Lite News

The Iraqi government has urged the US to reconsider its decision of granting pardons to four former contractors of private security company Blackwater who were convicted over the 2007 killing of 14 civilians in Baghdad.

In an official statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was following up on US President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon the contractors who carried out the massacre September 16, 2007, in Baghdad’s al-Nisour Square, which caused international denouncement, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The Ministry believes that this decision did not take into account the seriousness of the crime committed, and unfortunately ignores the dignity of the victims as well as the feelings and rights of their families,” the statement said.

The Ministry will follow up on the issue with the government of the US through diplomatic channels to urge it to reconsider the pardon decision, the statement added.

Blackwater was a private security contractor company hired to protect US personnel in Iraq.

It was accused by the Iraqi government of using excessive force in Baghdad.

The four convicts are Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard.

Slatten, Slough, Liberty and Heard were among 19 Blackwater private security contractors assigned to guard a convoy of four heavily-armoured vehicles carrying US personnel.

According to the US Justice Department, at about noon that day several of the contractors opened fire in and around Nisoor Square, a busy roundabout that was immediately adjacent to the heavily-fortified Green Zone.

When they stopped shooting, at least 14 Iraqi civilians were dead – 10 men, two women and two boys, aged nine and 11.

latten was found guilty of committing first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2019.

Following a retrial, Slough, Liberty and Heard subsequently had their sentences reduced to 15, 14 and 12 years, respectively.

Also read:Iraq PM calls for financial reforms to avert ‘chaos’

Previous Story

Israel conflict must be resolved within M-E Quartet: Palestine

Next Story

GOI To Give Extra Push For Divestment In 2021

Latest from -Top News

Goyal Courts Global CEOs in Paris

Piyush Goyal is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments…reports Asian Lite News Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with leading global CEOs in

India Gains Malaysia’s Backing on Terror

The visit of the all-party delegation to Malaysia is part of India’s strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan….reports Asian Lite News An Indian

India Signals FTA with Oman

The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28….reports Asian Lite News Commerce and Industry Minister

Hasina Charged with Crimes Against Humanity

The charges, which were made public on Sunday, mark a significant turn in the political landscape of Bangladesh…reports Asian Lite News Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formally charged with

Syria Strikes $7b Deal

The agreements, signed in the presence of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, mark a total investment of 7 billion U.S. dollars…reports Asian Lite News – Syria signed a series of memoranda of understanding
Go toTop