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Foreigners held for Iraq shooting Foreigners held for Iraq shooting
(about 3 hours later)
At least 33 foreigners have been detained in Baghdad after a shooting incident in which a woman was injured, say Iraqi government officials. A group of at least 32 foreigners have been detained in Baghdad after an Iraqi woman was shot and injured, say Iraqi government officials.
Among those said to be held are guards working for an Italian security firm. Among those held are private security guards, including two Americans.
The incident occurred as the firm's personnel tried to clear the way for their convoy through a traffic jam, an Iraqi security official told the BBC. The incident occurred as the guards tried to clear the way for their convoy through a traffic jam, an Iraqi security official told the BBC.
The detentions come after the Iraqi government vowed to crack down on the conduct of private security firms.The detentions come after the Iraqi government vowed to crack down on the conduct of private security firms.
In the United States, an investigation is under way after 17 Iraqi civilians were shot dead by guards working for the North Carolina-based Blackwater firm on 16 September.In the United States, an investigation is under way after 17 Iraqi civilians were shot dead by guards working for the North Carolina-based Blackwater firm on 16 September.
InvestigationInvestigation
The latest shooting incident occurred on Monday.The latest shooting incident occurred on Monday.
"Iraqi soldiers arrested some men of an Italian PSD [private security detail] after they opened fire randomly on citizens in Karrada in which a woman was wounded," Brigadier General Qasim Ata of the Iraqi army told AFP news agency.
"They are in custody now and the incident is under investigation."
This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law Ali al-Dabbagh Spokesman for the Iraq governmentThis is a message to security companies that no one is above the law Ali al-Dabbagh Spokesman for the Iraq government
Two Americans said to have been working as guards for the firm are among those arrested in Baghdad, unnamed Iraqi officials told news agencies. Brigadier General Qasim Ata of the Iraqi army told AFP news agency the suspects had "opened fire randomly on citizens in Karrada" district of Baghdad, and a woman had been wounded.
Also in detention are some of the foreign workers - reported to include Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, and an Indian person - whom the guards were escorting through Karrada district when the shooting incident allegedly happened. "They are in custody now and the incident is under investigation," he was quoted as saying.
The woman's condition is unknown.
Two Americans working as guards for the firm are among those in detention, spokesmen for the Iraqi government and the Iraqi military told news agencies.
Also in detention are some of the foreign workers - now reported to include Sri Lankans and Nepalese - whom the guards were escorting through Karrada district when the shooting incident allegedly happened.
Ten Iraqis were also detained.
It is unclear at present which of the detainees is accused of the shooting.It is unclear at present which of the detainees is accused of the shooting.
"This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency. Mystery firm
Mr Dabbagh said those held would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday. The private security firm in question has not been identified. Early statements from Iraqi officials suggested it was Italian.
"Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released," he was quoted as saying. Italy's foreign ministry says it believes no Italians were among those arrested.
After the arrests, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency that those held would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday.
"This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," Mr Dabbagh said
"Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released."
In the wake of the Blackwater controversy, the Iraqi government promised it would crack down on the activities of the multiple foreign security contractors operating in the country.In the wake of the Blackwater controversy, the Iraqi government promised it would crack down on the activities of the multiple foreign security contractors operating in the country.
At the end of last month it approved a draft law revoking their immunity from prosecution. At the end of October it approved a draft law revoking their immunity from prosecution.