Iraqi TV station disputes shooting account

BAGHDAD, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- An Iraqi television station says a producer seriously injured when shot by U.S. soldiers was not acting suspiciously when she approached them.

Halil Imad was shot on a bridge in Baghdad on New Year's Day. Beladi TV, a satellite station, said she required surgery, The Washington Post reported.

The U.S. military said in a statement that Imad was behaving "erratically" and did not respond to several warnings.

The shooting occurred as a new security agreement between Iraq and the United States took effect. The agreement allows U.S. soldiers to be prosecuted for felonies committed in Iraq, but only if they take place when the soldiers are outside their bases and off duty.

Beladi posted a statement on its Web site that said Imad was shot "in cold blood."

The U.S. statement did not specify what in Imad's behavior was suspicious. It said suicide bombings have occurred in the area recently.