Immunity Deal Hampers Blackwater Inquiry

30 October 2007 -- U.S. officials say a State Department promise of immunity to Blackwater USA guards may have compromised the probe into last month's shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi citizens.

Blackwater guards are accused of deliberately killing the civilians in Baghdad on September 16. The security firm says the Iraqis were killed when guards responded lawfully to an attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy.

Article continues below...

FBI investigators say the investigation has been hampered because the State Department gave guards immunity for statements, although the State Department had no authority to do so.

Some of the Blackwater guards have since refused to talk to the FBI, citing the promises of immunity.

Under State Department contractor rules, Diplomatic Security agents are charged with investigating and reporting all use of force incidents. But the FBI took over the investigation earlier this month.

Justice Department officials say a case can be made against Blackwater using other evidence, without using the guards' testimony to the State Department.

Source: VOA News