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| - Lawyers for 35 people alleging killings and mistreatment by guards at a Tanzanian mine said Wednesday they have filed a claim at London's High Court against its British owner, Petra Diamonds. The mining company confirmed the claim lodged by law firm Leigh Day over alleged human rights violations at the Williamson mine, which is 75 percent owned by Petra Diamonds and 25 percent by the Tanzanian state. Petra Diamonds said it had also received information about alleged abuse from the UK-based NGO RAID and vowed to investigate, saying it took the claims "extremely seriously". RAID said it had received reports of least seven killings and 35 assaults including shootings, beatings and torture by security personnel. Leigh Day partner Daniel Leader said abuse by Williamson guards was alleged to have been going on for several years. "Our clients include the family members of those who allege that their relatives were killed by security guards at PDL's Williamson mine, as well as victims who allege that they were shot or seriously beaten on the mine," he said. He said some claimed to have suffered serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries. "The human rights abuses are said to have been carried out primarily by private security contractors who work under the supervision of mine management," he said. Petra Diamonds said in a statement: "Petra takes these allegations extremely seriously." It said its Tanzanian subsidiary, Williamson Diamonds Limited, was investigating and Petra was also launching its own independent probe. "Petra has previously disclosed that there has been ongoing illegal artisanal mining taking place at Williamson over a period of time," it added. ar/pvh
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