The Iraqi government is hailing the indictments in the deadly 2007 shooting involving guards from a contractor with ties to San Diego.
Authorities say five guards for Blackwater Worldwide have been indicted, and a sixth is in plea negotiations. Blackwater has a controversial training center in Otay Mesa.
Iraqis hope the charges will finally bring justice and improve relations with the U.S. after the shootings that left 17 Iraqis dead, including young children. An Iraqi government spokesman says Baghdad welcomes any effort to "hold the criminals accountable for their crime."
Meanwhile, defense lawyers say the case has unfairly tarnished the images of the Blackwater guards, all of whom are decorated military veterans.
Witnesses say the shootings by a Blackwater convoy were unprovoked. But Blackwater says its guards were responding to a car bombing and were ambushed by insurgents.
Documents in the case are sealed but are expected to become public Monday. That's also when the five guards are due to surrender to the FBI.
