BAGHDAD, Dec 24 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the United States to reconsider its decision, to grant pardons to former contractors of Blackwater, who were convicted of committing a massacre in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in 2007.
An official statement said, the ministry is following up on U.S. President, Donald Trump’s decision, to pardon the contractors who carried out the massacre, in the al-Nisour Square in western Baghdad in 2007, which killed 14 Iraqi civilians, including two children, and caused international denouncement.
“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 United States, through diplomatic channels, to urge it to reconsider the pardon decision.
Blackwater was a private security contractor company, hired to protect U.S. personnel in Iraq. It was accused by the Iraqi government of using excessive force.
On Sept 16, 2007, Blackwater guards opened fire with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, on unarmed Iraqi civilians at the busy al-Nisour Square, leaving dozens of people killed and wounded.– NNN-NINA
