The Justice Department is expected to unveil indictments today against five Blackwater guards for their involvement in the killings of seventeen Iraqis in Baghdad in September of last year. The Blackwater guards facing charges have been identified as former Marine Evan Liberty; former Army sergeant Nick Slatten; former Marine Corporal Dustin Heard; former Marine Corporal Donald Ball; and Paul Slough, who served in the Army and the Texas National Guard. While the indictments will be unveiled in Washington, the Blackwater guards are expected to surrender today in Utah. By surrendering in Utah, the men could argue the case should be heard in a far more conservative, pro-gun venue than Washington. In Iraq, Mohamed al-Kinani called on the United States to prosecute the management of Blackwater as well.
Mohamed al-Kinani: “We hope to see a fair judgment that will impose the maximum penalty for them, not only the guards but the director who gave them the authority, weapons, vehicles and immunity. He must be taken to trial, because this is our demand.”
Mohamed al-Kinani was in his car with several members of his family when it came under fire from Blackwater guards. His nine-year-old son died in the shooting.