Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater’s Founder

By MARK MAZZETTI and EMILY B. HAGER at The New York Times

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Late one night last November, a plane carrying dozens of Colombian men touched down in this glittering seaside capital. Whisked through customs by an Emirati intelligence officer, the group boarded an unmarked bus and drove roughly 20 miles to a windswept military complex in the desert sand

The Colombians had entered the United Arab Emirates posing as construction workers. In fact, they were soldiers for a secret American-led mercenary army being built by Erik Prince, the billionaire founder of Blackwater Worldwide, with $529 million from the oil-soaked sheikdom.

Mr. Prince, who resettled here last year after his security business faced mounting legal problems in the United States, was hired by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi to put together an 800-member battalion of foreign troops for the U.A.E., according to former employees on the project, American officials and corporate documents obtained by The New York Times.

The force is intended to conduct special operations missions inside and outside the country, defend oil pipelines and skyscrapers from terrorist attacks and put down internal revolts, the documents show. Such troops could be deployed if the Emirates faced unrest in their crowded labor camps or were challenged by pro-democracy protests like those sweeping the Arab world this year.

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Moody Case Dismissed; Reno Veteran to Return Home Soon

Channel 2 News Reno

For months, the family and friends of Corporal Nicholas Moody have been waiting for answers. This morning, they finally have some relief.

The Reno veteran was arrested nearly three months ago for carrying gun parts on a plane, and he had been held then released from a prison in Abu Dhabi.

Nicholas’ mother Lorina called Channel 2 News early Monday morning, and says her son’s case has been dismissed.

“Hearing his voice, hearing he had gotten positive results and that he will be able to come home soon was tremendous for us the whole family and all of the friends and supporters out there are also equally happy,” says Lorina Moody.

Nicholas Moody called his mother from the United Arab Emirates around midnight and told her the news.

Moody had been returning from work as a private security contractor in Iraq when he was arrested in late September, and his sentencing was delayed several times. Now that his case has been dismissed, his mother says he can come home once he files his paperwork.

“Everyone can understand that as relieved as we are, it’s just a matter of actually having him here so we’re still going to be anxious and we’re still going to be waiting to hear when he’s actually gonna be here it’s not quite over for us until we actually see his face.” Moody says.

Moody says unless some major weather delays his trip, she is optimistic her son will be home in Reno by Christmas

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American gets suspended sentence on weapons charge

American gets suspended sentence on weapons charge

Hassan Hassan, Courts and Justice Reporter

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2010

ABU DHABI // The State Security Court sentenced an American military contractor today to a suspended three months in jail and Dh15,000 fine for carrying non-dangerous weapons parts in hand luggage through Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The contractor, Nicholas Moody, a former US soldier, had been travelling from Iraq to the United States. Security officials at the airport said in September they found four pieces related to a rifle, including a gun-cleaning brush and a front grip.

Through a translator, the judge told Mr moody he was free to go but if he were arrested again, he would have to serve his sentence.

The parts “could not make a weapon,” NM told The National after the hearing. “That is why I didn’t think twice. …  It has been tough but it is a lesson. I learned from it.”

He spent the last two and a half months in Al Wathba prison.

“It has been … tough. I was treated nicely, but [prison] is not a good place to be,” NM said.

He said he was going back to the United States “as soon as possible” and was going to immediately notify his family of the verdict.

“I’m glad I am free,”  he said. “It is over.”

Former US soldier a no show in gun parts case

Hassan Hassan, Courts and Justice Reporter

The National Beta

Last Updated: Nov 30, 2010

Abu Dhabi // The case of a US military veteran accused of possessing weapon accessories without a licence was adjourned yesterday because he was not brought to court from his prison cell.

NA, a former US soldier who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and later worked as a security contractor, was to appear before the State Security Court charged with possessing firearm accessories without a UAE licence.

Chief Justice Shehab al Hammadi scheduled another hearing for next week because NA was not present. It was not clear why he did not appear.

NA’s lawyer, Melhim Faiz, could not present his defence yesterday because of his client’s absence. Mr Faiz said NA did not possess any weapons and that the components were merely four pieces related to a rifle, including a gun-cleaning brush and a front grip. NA has been in prison for nearly two months, according to his lawyer. He was arrested on September 29 in Abu Dhabi, where he stopped for a day before his scheduled trip home.

Mr Faiz said his client was on his way from Iraq to the United States when he was arrested at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The news of his arrest was reported widely in the US, and a Facebook page was created to rally for his release. But US officials told reporters and family they could not interfere in the justice system of a sovereign nation