Iraq security firm boss 'waged crusade to murder Muslims'

Erik Prince is also accused of murdering or ordering the deaths of former employees who were co-operating with US investigators.

The claims were made in affidavits lodged at a court in Virginia. Black-water was the most prominent of the security firms used by the US to protect military convoys and guard diplomats after the invasion of Iraq.

The affidavits are part of a legal action by 60 Iraqis who are suing Blackwater for alleged crimes.

The US justice department is prosecuting six Blackwater guards over an incident in Nisour Square, Baghdad, in September 2007 which left 17 Iraqis dead. Blackwater, which lost its multi-million dollar contract with the state department in May, denies the claims and is contesting the lawsuit.

The accusations are made by two former employees, who are identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 because they say they fear retaliation themselves for making the allegations.

John Doe 1 identifies himself as a former US marine who joined Blackwater and was sent to Iraq to guard American government personnel. In his sworn statement, he says he observed "multiple incidents of Blackwater personnel intentionally using unnecessary, excessive and unjustified deadly force".

John Doe 2 identifies himself as an American citizen who worked for Blackwater and affiliated companies for four years. He says: "On several occasions after my departure from Mr Prince's employ, Mr Prince's management has personally threatened me with death and violence.

"In addition, it appears that Mr Prince and his employees murdered, or had murdered, one or more persons who have provided information, or who were planning to provide information, to the federal authorities about the ongoing criminal conduct."

In his statement, he says Mr Prince, 40, a prominent Republican and part of a wealthy Michigan family, views himself as a "Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe".

He continues: "To that end, Mr Prince intentionally deployed to Iraq certain men who shared his vision of Christian supremacy, knowing and wanting these men to take every available opportunity to murder Iraqis. Many of these men used call signs based on the Knights of the Templar, the warriors who fought the Crusades." Going to Iraq to shoot and kill Iraqis was viewed as a sport or game, he said.