The UN has sharply criticised President Donald Trump s decision to pardon four former Blackwater contractors jailed over the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians.
A cyclist passing by a burnt-out car a few days after Blackwater guards escorting US embassy officials opened fire in the Baghdad neighbourhood on 16 September 2007.
Photo: AFP
Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard opened fire in Baghdad s Nisoor Square in 2007 while guarding an American diplomatic convoy.
The UN Human Rights Office warned that the pardons would serve to embolden others to commit similar crimes.
The father of a nine-year boy who died said Trump broke my life again .
President Trump pardons former security contractors convicted in deadly Iraq shooting
3 months 1 day 19 hours ago
Wednesday, December 23 2020
Dec 23, 2020
December 23, 2020 7:50 AM
December 23, 2020
in
News
Source: Associated Press
Share:
Pictured from left to right: Evan Liberty, Dustin Heard, Nicholas Slatten, and Paul Slough
Photo: International Crime Database
WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Supporters of the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide had lobbied for the pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences.
329 shares
This combination made from file photo shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. (AP Photo/File)
WASHINGTON (AP) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Trump pardons 15, including his 2016 campaign adviser
Updated Dec 22, 2020;
Posted Dec 22, 2020
A Marine stands outside the entrance to the West Wing of the White House, signifying the President is in the Oval Office, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP
Facebook Share
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people, including Republican allies, a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad.
Trump also commuted the sentences of five people. While it is not unusual for presidents to grant clemency on their way out the door, Trump has made clear that he has no qualms about intervening in the cases of friends and allies whom he believes have been treated unfairly. Despite speculation, though, not on the list were members of Trump’s own family, his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and the president himself.
President Trump pardons former security contractors convicted in deadly Iraq shooting
3 months 1 day 19 hours ago
Wednesday, December 23 2020
Dec 23, 2020
December 23, 2020 7:50 AM
December 23, 2020
in
News
Source: Associated Press
Share:
Pictured from left to right: Evan Liberty, Dustin Heard, Nicholas Slatten, and Paul Slough
Photo: International Crime Database
WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Supporters of the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide had lobbied for the pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences.