Italy Tries US Soldier For Iraq Murder [in absentia]

spiegel.de ^ | 4-17-2007 | staff writer

[bedolido]

A US soldier is being tried in absentia by an Italian court for the murder of Nicola Calipari, the intelligence agent who died on the road to Baghdad Airport shortly after securing the release of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena.

[lowbridge]

The soldier will be found guilty, of course.

[mallardx]

Just as a practical joke, we should flatten the courthouse with a 500-lb. bomb. When the judge is present.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Take note: this is what happens when avowed communists are a power in one’s government. Italy has had communists in the legislature since as least WWII.

[pepsionice]

I think it’d be interesting to bring in...as the defense attorney for the GI....a Catholic priest...preferably Italian. Since this is all a dog and pony show....the priest might actually add character to the whole game.

[The Pack Knight]

The US has refused to hand him over and his lawyer Alberto Biffani indicated that his client would reject the Italian court's authority.

Looks like SPC Lozano and the US are handling this right. This is nothing more than political theater. If the Italians want to make impotent gestures that highlight their own irrelevance, let them.

[fishergirl]

Oh, this makes me sick! My son was in Iraq when that incident happened, he said the soldier and soldiers at that checkpoint did exactly what they were trained to do. It’s the Italians’ fault that they didn’t alert anyone OR stop or even slow down when they were warned. It should’ve been that stupid communist cow reporter that was shot. I have no patience for these people! AND today some idiot leftist Italian newspaper stated that the shooting at Virginia Tech was “as American as apple pie”!! If I can find out what newspaper it is, I’m going to send them an a—ripping email. Disgusting!

[Thebaddog]

If it’s really theatre, let’s see these smart pantses indict Tony Soprano for crimes against humanity.

[ElectricStrawberry]

Guilty....now come and try to get ‘im.

[art_rocks]

We know the Italians will find him guilty.

Does this mean the SPC can never travel outside the US? I’m sure if the SPC could never travel to Europe if he wanted.

[Cheburashka]

Does this mean the SPC can never travel outside the US? I’m sure if the SPC could never travel to Europe if he wanted.
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It means the SPC can never be sure he won't be extradited to Italy when the Democrats are in power in the United States. For doing his duty to the United States he will always be in danger of punishment.

[Atlantic Friend]

“Does this mean the SPC can never travel outside the US? I’m sure if the SPC could never travel to Europe if he wanted.”

That will depend on the Italians, whether they come up with an international arrest warrant or not.

[redgolum]

If/when Hillary gets elected, he had better have a back up plan.

[Dave Elias]

“Take note: this is what happens when avowed communists are a power in one’s government. Italy has had communists in the legislature since as least WWII.”

They’ve also had Fachists which I guess cancels out the commos.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Guilty....now come and try to get ‘im.

Of course he is safe in the US. But if he should ever think about going to Europe and the Italians search for him with a international arrest warrant it could turn out as a real disaster for him. All European nations will hand him over to Italy. Since the Italians have a strict separation of justice and gouvernment it could turn out politically difficult for the US to bail him out. The Italian prisions are known for being extremely unpleasant.