First CIA rendition trial begins

[laststeamtrain]

Source: Guardian

Staff and agencies
Friday June 8, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The first trial testing the CIA's controversial practice of extraordinary rendition opened in a Milan court today, hours ahead of a visit to Italy by the US president, George Bush.

The trial got under way with empty cages lining two walls of the courtroom. Twenty-six US citizens - all but one believed to be intelligence operatives - went on trial in absentia, accused of abducting a terrorist suspect from a Milan street in spring 2003 and flying him to Egypt where he says he was tortured under interrogation.

Though the start of the trial coincides with Mr Bush's arrival for talks with the Pope and Italy's prime minister and president, it is thought judicial proceedings will not begin in earnest for some time. The Italian government has asked Italy's highest court to throw out the indictments against the Americans accused of kidnapping Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr four years ago. The constitutional court is expected to consider that and another similar appeal in the autumn, and participants in the trial said they expected the defence to request postponement of the trial until after the Italian high court's ruling.

In addition to the Americans, seven Italians were also indicted in the case, including Nicolo Pollari, the former chief of military intelligence. Mr Pollari, who was not at court, has denied any involvement by Italian intelligence in the abduction.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,,2098583,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12

[helderheid]

1. k&r

[damntexdem]

2. The Italians should also indict the ultimate boss of the CIA agents --

I understand that he plans to visit Italy, so they wouldn't even have to try him in absentia. ;-)