Did Blackwater Xe Founder Have People Killed?
For all the criticism faced by Erik Prince, the founder of private security company Blackwater -- since renamed Xe -- no one’s ever called him a killer. But
For all the criticism faced by Erik Prince, the founder of private security company Blackwater — since renamed Xe — no one’s ever called him a killer. But according to Jeremy Scahill, the reporter most doggedly investigating the company, new sworn statements filed in a civil case against Xe on behalf of Iraqi civilians killed by company operatives in 2007 claim just that. These are filings from anonymous ex-Blackwater employees obtained by Scahill for The Nation:
“„The former employee, identified in the court documents as “John Doe #2,” is a former member of Blackwater’s management team, according to a source close to the case. Doe #2 alleges in a sworn declaration that, based on information provided to him by former colleagues, “it appears that Mr. Prince and his employees murdered, or had murdered, one or more persons who have provided information, or who were planning to provide information, to the federal authorities about the ongoing criminal conduct.” John Doe #2 says he worked at Blackwater for four years; his identity is concealed in the sworn declaration because he “fear[s] violence against me in retaliation for submitting this Declaration.” He also alleges, “On several occasions after my departure from Mr. Prince’s employ, Mr. Prince’s management has personally threatened me with death and violence.”
“„In a separate sworn statement, the former US marine who worked for Blackwater in Iraq alleges that he has “learned from my Blackwater colleagues and former colleagues that one or more persons who have provided information, or who were planning to provide information about Erik Prince and Blackwater have been killed in suspicious circumstances.” Identified as “John Doe #1,” he says he “joined Blackwater and deployed to Iraq to guard State Department and other American government personnel.” It is not clear if Doe #1 is still working with the company as he states he is “scheduled to deploy in the immediate future to Iraq.” Like Doe #2, he states that he fears “violence” against him for “submitting this Declaration.” No further details on the alleged murder(s) are provided.
I can’t add anything to this account. It’s absolutely explosive if it’s true. Xe wouldn’t talk to Scahill.
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