Blackwater chief refuses Iraqi justice

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The chief of the private Blackwater security firm on contract in Iraq said employees being investigated in Baghdad will never enter the Iraqi legal system.

Speaking to editorial staff of The Washington Times, Blackwater Chairman Erik Prince said the Sept. 16 incident in which some 20 employees opened fire and killed 17 Iraqi civilians was self-defense.

"We will not let our people be taken by the Iraqis," Prince said.

"In an ideal sense, if there was wrongdoing, there could be a trial brought in the Iraqi court system. But that would imply that there is a valid Iraqi court system where Westerners could get a fair trial. That is not the case right now."

Prince told the Times that if there was any evidence of wrongdoing, his employees should be tried in the United States under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has demanded Blackwater leave the country and pay $8 million to the families of each of those killed.