Donald Trump pardons Blackwater guards responsible for Iraq massacre

Donald Trump has pardoned four former private security contractors who were convicted of killing more than a dozen Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007.

It prompted jubilation among supporters of the men, who had maintained their innocence, and outrage among Iraqis. Mohammed Kinani, whose nine-year-old son Ali died, said: "I don't know how this is allowed. God will not let them go."

The contractors, who worked for Blackwater, were jailed following a trial in the US after at least 14 Iraqi civilians were left dead in Baghdad's Nisour Square.

It led to an international uproar over the use of private security guards in war zones.

The contractors were included in a wave of 20 pardons and commutations issued by Mr Trump. Also pardoned were former adviser George Papadopoulos, and lawyer Alex van der Zwaan, who were both convicted of lying to investigators during the inquiry into any links between Mr Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia.

Mr Trump also pardoned or commuted the sentences of three former Republican congressmen convicted of financial crimes. They included Chris Collins, who was the first member of Congress to endorse Mr Trump in 2016.

The Blackwater team had been contracted by the US state department to provide security for diplomats.

They opened fire at a busy traffic circle and were tried in 2014 in Washington. Prosecutors said they had launched an unprovoked attack with machine guns and grenade launchers.

Defence lawyers argued the men had returned fire after being ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

An appeal court later cut their sentences by half or more. A fourth contractor, Nick Slatten, who prosecutors said fired the first shots, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Blackwater was founded by Erik Prince, the brother of Mr Trump's education secretary Betsy DeVos. It has since been renamed. The four men were all US military veterans who had gone on to become contractors.

In a statement the White House said they had "a long history of service to the nation" and had been "securing the safety of United States personnel".

A spokesman said: "When the convoy attempted to establish a blockade outside the Green Zone, the situation turned violent, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of Iraqi civilians.

"Prosecutors recently disclosed, more than 10 years after the incident, that the lead Iraqi investigator, who prosecutors relied heavily on to verify that there were no insurgent victims and to collect evidence, may have had ties to insurgent groups himself."

Supporters of the men lobbied for the pardons, arguing they had been excessively punished. Brian Heberlig, a lawyer for Slough, said: "Paul Slough and his colleagues didn't deserve to spend one minute in prison. I am overwhelmed with emotion at this fantastic news."

Heard's lawyer, David Schertler, said: "We have always believed in Dustin's innocence and have never given up the fight to vindicate him. He served his country honourably and, finally today, he has his well-deserved freedom."

The American Civil Liberties Union heavily criticised the pardons, saying the shootings had caused "devastation in Iraq, shame and horror in the United States, and a worldwide scandal."

US presidents traditionally issue pardons before they leave office, and Mr Trump is expected to announce more in the coming days.