Blackwater killers’ pardons ‘unfair’

Faris Fadel has just one word to describe Donald Trump’s pardoning of four private security contractors convicted of killing Iraqi civilians – including his brother – in a public square 13 years ago: unfair.

Fadel’s brother, Osama Abbas, had just crossed a street into Baghdad’s Nisoor Square on September 16, 2007 to do a money transfer – a last-minute change of plans that would cost the 41-year-old electrical engineer his life.

At the time, the Blackwater firm had been contracted to provide security for US diplomats in Iraq. Four US military veterans working as contractors for the State Department opened fire in the crowded traffic circle, killing 14 Iraqis, including a child, and wounding over a dozen more.

Nicholas Slatten was convicted of murder, while Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of manslaughter in 2014 after a months-long trial in federal court in Washington. Each had pleaded not guilty. This week, Trump pardoned them.

‘‘This decision was wrong, it was unfair,’’ said Fadel, 44. ‘‘How can you release those who have blood on their hands?’’

Defence lawyers for the four contractors argued that they were returning fire after being ambushed by Iraqi insurgents.

Prosecutors said the four launched an unprovoked attack using sniper fire, machineguns and grenade launchers. Iraqis consider it a massacre.

Abbas left a widow and four children. Years after the attack, Fadel is still bitter. He lost not only a brother, but a father figure. Ten years his senior, Abbas had looked after the family following the untimely death of their father at a young age.

Abbas had started his own engineering company, and took responsibility for the entire family. His death sent them down a spiral of shock and insolvency. His mother took to a wheelchair after suffering cardiac arrest from the shock. His youngest son suffers from severe depression.

‘‘They destroyed our home and our family,’’ Fadel said of the Blackwater killers.

Fadel also blames the Iraqi government for not pushing for justice sooner. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, hours after the pardons were announced, said it would follow up with the US over diplomatic channels, saying the move ‘‘regrettably ignored the dignity of the victims and the feelings and rights of their relatives’’.

Asked what would bring him peace of mind over a decade since his brother’s killing, Fadel said only a death sentence for the contractors could bring solace.

‘‘An eye for an eye. They are guilty – you don’t need a court to prove it.’’