MyUSTINET News: Blackwater Facing New Attack Allegations

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 2 (UPI) -- Contractors employed by the Blackwater private military company, now called Xe, were responsible for six unprovoked attacks in Iraq, a lawsuit alleges.

SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., added six additional instances in which Blackwater contractors allegedly attacked Iraqi civilians without being provoked, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot said Thursday.

The alleged attacks by contractors employed by Blackwater, which was contracted by the State Department to support U.S. personnel in Iraq, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a 9-year-old boy, the plaintiffs allege.

A racketeering count was also added to the lawsuit against the security company and its founder Erik Prince this week. The count includes alleged instances in which Prince's companies took part in illegal activities like homicides, tax evasion, weapons smuggling, kidnapping and child prostitution.

Susan Burke, attorney for the lawsuit's plaintiffs, said her clients want to prove the military company and its affiliated groups have an alleged history of illicit activity.

"What we're very, very worried about is this company hurting other people going forward around the globe", she told the Virginian-Pilot. "They're moving into Africa, they're moving into other places, and we believe they need judicial supervision."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related News Topics:

	Print This Story
	Email This Story

BREAKING STORIES

Ten Commandments monument moved

Britain cuts 166 in Cyprus military staff

Payments due to Kilpatrick attorney

McChrystal lays out campaign for Kandahar

Rebel Darfur group agrees to cease-fire

Rebel Darfur group agrees to cease-fire

Thai protestors targeted for legal action

Legality of drone attacks challenged

Panetta: Al-Qaida leaderless, losing power

Lawyer: 6 Iraqis died in British custody

Prescription painkiller use up in military

Mich. woman gets personal note from Obama

Taser company being sued over teen's death

Five U.S. men indicted for terrorism

U.S. diplomat cancels visit to Japan

Date set for Oprah defamation trial

Audit: Nuclear glitches at Air Force bases

Sri Lanka general refutes charges

Pentagon gets goal of more assault reports

Thousands of Hmong protest criminal case