Italian Court Acquits Three of International Terrorism Charges

[Tsiyu]

MILAN, Italy (AP) - An Italian court acquitted three north Africans of international terrorism charges linked to the alleged recruitment of suicide bombers to be sent to Iraq, ruling that the men were guerrillas, not terrorists.
Deputy Premier Gianfranco Fini, who is also foreign minister, expressed "anger and incredulity" over what he said was a "distortion of the reality before the entire world."

The men had been accused of association with the aim of international terrorism, a charge introduced in Italy after Sept. 11, 2001, as part of Premier Silvio Berlusconi government's war against terrorism.

Judge Clementina Forleo convicted the men, Tunisians Ali Ben Sassi Toumi and Bouyahia Maher, and Moroccan Mohamed Daki, of assisting illegal immigration and dealing in false documents, Toumi's lawyer Sara Fardella said. The Tunisians were sentenced to three years in prison and the third defendant to 22 months.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBMH9V8F4E.html