Indian to face trial in Baghdad

BAGHDAD: At least 31 South Asian workers, including an Indian, detained after a shooting this week involving foreign security guards face charges of illegally entering Iraq, the government spokesman said on Friday.

Ali al-Dabbagh told reportersthat the 21 Sri Lankans, nine Nepalese and one Indian would appear before a magistrate on Sunday.

"We call upon all companies operating in Iraq to register and settle the status of the foreign employees," he said. "The companies should make sure that their workers have official visas from Iraqi authorities."

The workers were picked up Tuesday after police said the security guards protecting their convoy opened fire in Baghdad's Karradah district, wounding a woman.

Two Fijian and 10 Iraqi security guards are under investigation for assault.

The government's tough response to the Tuesday incident followed public outrage over the alleged killing last September of 17 civilians during an incident involving guards from Blackwater Worldwide.

The government has vowed to end the immunity from Iraqi law enjoyed by many security contractors since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime in the US-led invasion of 2003.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com