Posted on 11/04/2009 12:35:26 PM PST by markomalley
A judge in Milan convicted 23 Americans today of the kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric in 2003, culminating a landmark trial that gave a look into the secret world of CIA renditions of terror suspects.
Judge Oscar Magi acquitted three Americans, including the former CIA station chief in Italy, because they had diplomatic immunity when a secret team abducted militant cleric Abu Omar in Milan and flew him to Egypt, where he underwent months of torture and abuse. The Americans were tried in absentia, and given that the U.S. government has long declined to cooperate with the prosecution, it seemed unlikely that any of those convicted would spend time in an Italian prison.
Magi set aside charges against the former chief and deputy chief of Italy's spy agency, ruling they were protected by a state secrets law, but he convicted three other accused Italian accomplices.
Overall, the verdict was a victory for anti-terrorism prosecutors and police in Milan who spent six years building a massive, politically charged prosecution, the first anywhere of the CIA's so-called "extraordinary rendition" program. The trial endured delays, legal battles and attempts by the Italian government to scuttle the proceedings.
"I think it is very important for everyone that this trial was completed," said Armando Spataro, the lead prosecutor. "The truth of the events is that which was reconstructed by the DIGOS [investigative police] and the Milan prosecutors during the investigation."
The judge issued an eight-year prison sentence for Robert Seldon Lady, the former CIA chief in Milan who according to testimony initially opposed the rendition but then became its ground-level architect. The other U.S. operatives were given five-year sentences, and the Italians received three-year terms.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Sounds like they were a bit clumsy in their work.
So I wonder if Ø will actually turn them over to the Italians?
Their spies are more equal than our spies.
ping
This reeks of a setup for Hussein to look “tough” in the eyes of average Americans.
“I think it is very important for everyone that this trial was completed,” said Armando Spataro,”
Yep, that and a knife will get your head sawed off from a Muslim terrorist, Armando.
This bullsh** is window dressing.
I just re-watched “Day of the Jackal” when the French “Action Service” kidnapped a suspect from Italy for just such a purpose.
But they have aggressive genes and need to be let go. Where is that idiotic link?
Has Obama apologized yet?
Has Obama apologized yet?
oops
“So I wonder if Ø will actually turn them over to the Italians?”
The only real question is how fast.
Is the LA Times editorializing in a news article? In any case, this is no victory for anti-terrorism! It's a victory for the TERRORISTS.
I'm almost sorry I served two years in Italy. Too bad they anti-American Left has such power over there now.
Just got back from Italy. Most of the people are not anti-American. This is just a renegade judge. Berluscioni would shut him down if he could. Italy has always been a bit of a schizophrenic political state dating back to the pre-Roman era.
I don’t get it. This guy was a part of the terrorist group that killed the Egyptian president and all of those tourists. He was in Italy because he had to flee Egypt. This guy was, and maybe still is, a terror cell supporter.
Doesn’t say if USAF Col. Romano was among the convicted.
Depends on what Soros decides...
Hint: Italy has not had a government last more than two years since WWII.
Who the Fucik (he's an old composer - so it's a noun) do the Italians think they are?
(Sorry I don't know how to put the ~ on the e...).
You are SO correct!
option+e e
Like so:
é
Apparently this particular “Magi” isn’t so wise after all.
On a Mac keyboard, it’s that easy!
Those of us on a PC have to remember all these “Alt” codes like Alt+0233 = é!
(It helps to keep a cheat-sheet of the special characters you use most often ;)
Quite rightly so. After all, in a case on American soil involving foreign spies, wouldn't you expect your own agents to be protected by domestic legislation? I'd be very surprised if you can find any first world nation which wouldn't follow such an obviously essential practice.
If you mean to express surprise as to why Italy has treated the US this way after all the military aid, largesse, economic development, etc showered on Italy in the past, then that is a diffeent question.Mind you, this outcome was inevitable whether in Italy given the hamfisted and overly public nature of the programme. The question is - is blowback like this worth it? It may be that it was. IOnly the CIA and the Feds know for sure.
The Italian GOVERNMENT is not for this prosecution. Some members on this inside are after this prosecution.
They have real porn stars elected to parliment in Italy.
Their nation is screwed. Love liberalism.
I know. Folk like Cicciolina. Even Sylvio Berlusconi, who may be our fllow traveller ghas the morals of a clinton.
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