Killing of Mary Awanis - Iraq

Nov 2007
After a series of high profile shootings, the Iraqi government plans to change the law to withdraw legal immunity from private security firms. One case fuelling public anger was the killing of an Iraqi mother.

Mary Awanis was driving 90m behind an armed convoy when guards decided she was a security threat. They used flares to warn her, then opened fire. "They fired about 40 bullets, as if she was nothing. As if she had no value", laments her brother. According to eye witnesses, the guards then left without offering any assistance. Mary's relatives are trying to bring a civil case against Unity Resources Group, the private security firm responsible for the shooting. "They could have done things entirely differently. They could have shot the tyres or shot in the air". Even Richard Galustian, who ran his own private security firm in Iraq admits: "for so many shots to be fired at one car driven by a woman seems very, very excessive". He claims; "There is essentially a sort of lawless cowboy philosophy amongst some people in private security". The deaths of civilians at the hands of PMCs has been vastly underreported. As Galustian states; "People involved in incidents felt that they were immune". Now, as the new act slowly makes its way through parliament, many contractors are considering their future in Iraq.

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

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• Iraq
• Journeyman
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• War
• Shootings
• news
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[revankader]

Iraq is a long story of human tragedy and suffering.

[natashanaa]

if the dead can speak, what would they tell us, the crimes against humanity, it is disgusting,

[annaba62]

Fuck everyone who was either military or hired by military for the Iraqi war. All are sick screwed murderers who only enrolled to vent their hate. I wish for the day when the wheels will turn and we your cities turned into Baghdad s.....

[azza77mac]

She drives in Baghdad following an APC, warnings were given to her to turn around yet she still followed. No one can blame the troops. If I was in that APC I would have done exactly the same thing, who knows what kind of threat that car could of possessed if it was anyone else. The troops arnt going to take risks in the most war torn country in the 21st century. Shes a dumb arse.

[taz4658]

fuck off usa good to kill here im happy i dont like usa fuck off

[HEAVENLYFATHER3000]

I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LEAVE IRAQ. "LEAVE IRAQ" ALONE WITHOUT ANYONE TO LIVING OR DYING IN IT.

LEAVE IT ALONE VACANT FOR THE BIRDS OF HEAVEN AND THE ANIMALS OF THE DESERT.

GOD...RETURN QUICKLY AS YOU SAID AND AVENGE FOR ALL WHO DIED UNJUSTLY AT THE HANDS OF THE TERRORISTS.

[HEAVENLYFATHER3000]

Mary should have been helped by her brother to leave Iraq long ago instead of leaving her drive a cab in this most horrific time for anyone to live in Iraq let alone for the Christian women.

[Raniakurd]

WE ALONG SIDE THE AMERICANS DEFEATED THE TERROR, GOD BLESS USA AND THE NEW DEMOCRATIC IRAQ,,

[MrKillien]

@BiracialGirl1977 stupid American. when you dicide to get your head out of you as then educate yourself fool.

[MrKillien]

Poor lady.

[iraqiGak47]

@BiracialGirl1977 you now what the funniest thing at 9 11 waz that people where jumping of buildings thinking they can fly if r kelley makes a song about he can fy dus not meen that you can fley one bilion muslims where celebrating that day i can remember it like yesterday and dont worry we killd many americans in iraq you lost the war just like you did in vietnam