(14 Apr 2015) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY
SHOTLIST
AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - 2007
++4:3++
1. Various of traffic policeman inspecting charred car at Baghdad's al-Nisoor square where Blackwater guards' shooting took place
AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Baghdad, Iraq - 14 April, 2015
++16:9++
2. Lawyer Hassan Jabir, one of Blackwater victims walking
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hassan Jabir, Blackwater victim:
''The sentence issued by the American Federal court could not be compared with the bulk of the crime that took place in al-Nisoor square in 2007. More than 20 people were killed and more than 30 or 35 others were wounded. The penalty was not at the level of the crime. If the trial had occurred here in Iraq, the sentence would be death by hanging.''
4. Various of traffic by ''Liberty Monument'' in downtown Baghdad
5. Close up of monument
6. Establishing shot of journalist Hassan Wilhan
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hassan Wilhan, Iraqi journalist:
''The sentence issued by the American court didn't live up to the level of the crime committed by the Blackwater security guards. The crime is considered a war crime as Iraq was under special circumstance. So It the sentence should have been at the same level of the crime perpetrated against Iraqis.''
8. Set up for Dr. Jassim al-Ibadi, University teacher
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dr. Jassim al-Ibadi, University teacher:
''Neither the Blackwater security company nor the court could be fair. The sentences didn't benefit families and are not just. This is a simple sentence being issued against those who committed the crime. These families want their dignity and rights to be honoured.''
10. Wide of traffic on road
AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - 2007
++4:3++
11. Various of al-Nisoor Square where shooting took place
STORYLINE:
Defence lawyers vowed to appeal the convictions of four former Blackwater security guards after a federal judge handed down lengthy prison terms for their roles in a 2007 shooting of unarmed civilians in Iraq.
Some Iraqis however expressed disappointment with the sentences issued against former security guards in the shooting that killed 14 Iraqi civilians and wounded 17 others.
Lawyer Hassan Jabir, one of Blackwater victims lashed out at the American federal court saying that the sentence was not at the level of the crime committed by Blackwater security guards.
He claimed more than 20 people had died and over 30 were injured but added that their relatives failed to report deaths and injuries at the time for security reasons.
Iraqi journalist Hassan Wilhan concurred that "the sentence should have been at the same level of the crime perpetrated against Iraqis.''
The incident in Baghdad's Nisoor Square strained US-Iraq relations and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Attorneys meanwhile, identified several issues on Monday as likely forming the basis of an appeal, including vindictive prosecution and whether State Department contractors could be charged under a federal law that covers the overseas crimes of Defense Department civilian employees.
The move comes after US District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced former guard Nicholas Slatten to life in prison and three others to 30-year terms for their roles in the shootings.
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