Private Security Guards in Iraq Operate With Little Supervision

THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ
Private Security Guards in Iraq Operate With Little Supervision
By T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer


BAGHDAD — Private security contractors have been involved in scores of shootings in Iraq, but none have been prosecuted despite findings in at least one fatal case that the men had not followed proper procedures, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Times.

Instead, security contractors suspected of reckless behavior are sent home, sometimes with the knowledge of U.S. officials, raising questions about accountability and stirring fierce resentment among Iraqis.

The contractors function in a legal gray area. Under an order issued by the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority that administered Iraq until June 2004, contractors suspected of wrongdoing are to be prosecuted in their home countries. The contractors have immunity from Iraqi courts and have so far not faced American prosecution, giving little recourse to Iraqis seeking justice for wrongful shootings.

"What was my innocent son's crime?" asked Zahra Ridha, the mother of a 19-year-old shot and killed by security contractors in May. "Is this what we deserve?"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-guards4dec04,0,6399889.story?coll=la-home-headlines

from the FAQs from the 'Frontline' episode 'Private Warriors'

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/faqs/

If you haven't seen this episode, you can watch it streamline... link on the page given.