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 Baghdads 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, "Weve 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.

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