Family of Iraqi Mother Killed in Baghdad Sues Private Security Firm, U.S. Contractor, According to Burke O’Neil LLC
01-17-2008
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/USNewswire/ -- The family of slain Iraqi Marou Awanis has instructed the U.S.-based legal team of Burke O’Neil LLC, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Akeel & Valentine PLC to pursue legal claims against private security firm Unity Resources Group and the U.S. company that retained them in Iraq, RTI International, the family announced today.
The legal team – which already represents Iraqi families in pending litigation alleging that private security contractor Blackwater personnel killed 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisoor Square in Baghdad on Sept. 16, 2007 – filed suit today in Washington federal court (Civil Action No. 08-0096).
A mother of three, Marou Awanis, 48, was killed on Oct. 9, 2007 when private security guards employed by Unity Resources opened fire on her car as she drove through Baghdad’s Karada district, the lawsuit alleges.
According to the Complaint, Unity Resources Group, an Australian-run firm based in the United Arab Emirates, was operating at the time of the incident as an agent of RTI International, of Research Triangle Park, N.C. RTI International is working in Iraq on a contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mrs. Awanis’ brother, UK businessman Dr. Paul Manook, said, “We’ve had no apology, or offer of recompense or assistance from Unity Resources Group despite the fact that their employees’ wrongful act has killed my sister and orphaned her three daughters. Security firms seem to get away with committing terrible acts. The international community and the Iraqi government need to ensure that security firms are made to account for their actions.”
Mrs. Awanis’ daughters Nora, 20, Karoon, 19, both university students in Baghdad, and Alice, 11, are members of the Christian minority in Iraq. With the help of relatives in the UK and elsewhere, Mrs. Awanis’ children are trying to make new lives elsewhere, according to Dr. Manook. The family also requests that Jordanian immigration authorities allow the entire family entry to Jordan to visit relatives. Last week, Nora and Alice were forced to return to Iraq by Jordanian authorities while Karoon and another relative were allowed to enter the country.
Media Contacts: William O’Neil, Burke O’Neil LLC, (202) 232-5504 or (202) 445-4277; or Dr. Miriam Manook, +44 7966 444408.