Italy’s CIA crackdown
Why would U.S. ally Italy convict 22 CIA operatives for nabbing a Muslim cleric off the streets of Milan?
Judge Oscar Maggi reads the sentence for the convicted 22 CIA agents and a US Air Force colonel in absentia.
(EPA/Corbis/Daniel Dal Zennaro)
An Italian court sentenced 22 CIA operatives, including former Milan station chief Robert Lady, and one U.S. Air Force colonel in absentia for the 2003 abduction of Muslim cleric Hassan Moustafa Osama Nasr (or Abu Omar) in Milan. Nasr was flown to Egypt, where he claims he was tortured. Why would Italy, a U.S. ally, threaten to jail CIA agents for nabbing a suspected terrorist?
Italy is laying down the law: Why did the CIA use “extraordinary rendition” in an allied nation like Italy? asks Annie Lowrey in Foreign Policy. The “somewhat queasy” answer is: because it could. “At the time, the CIA operated in extralegal channels with impunity.” But times have changed, and the Italian court is “ensuring the CIA knows there’s no impunity now.”
“Italian court convicts CIA agents in absentia”
No impunity for Americans—but for Italians? The Italian prosecutor certainly spun this as a victory for “Italian laws,” says Kevin Drum in Mother Jones. But then why did three high-ranking Italians implicated in the case get off scot-free? Count me unimpressed. “Convicting a bunch of foreigners is easy. It’s holding your own people to account that’s hard.”
“Italy’s rendition trial”
The CIA gets off easy, too: The verdict is also “where the damage ends for the CIA,” says Jeff Stein in Foreign Policy. None of the agents are likely to see the inside of an Italian jail cell—although, with European arrest warrants out for their arrest, they “can forget about spending the summer in Provence.” But the last laugh may go to Nasr: for compensation, he could be awarded the “title to an Italian country house that Lady bought for retirement.”
“Rendered guilty”
Show: Oldest | Newest
5 Comments
Posted by Michael J. Gorman, Friday, November 6, 2009, 1:00 am The Italian government is probably tired of the ultimate keystone cops, our CIA, messing around in their nation. A good NYC cop is more qualified to do any kind of legitimate law enforcement job that almost any CIA operative or agent. The CIA has embarrassed our nation for too long. I don't blame Italy for reacting the way they did.
Posted by Victor, Friday, November 6, 2009, 1:37 am ... and this is how US and EU are having their divorce.
Posted by Giovanni, Saturday, November 7, 2009, 3:02 am Italian governments are not tired of anybody, in fact both the former leftist goverment and the present rightist one tried to derail the process. Italy has an independent judiciary body, not bound to government decisions, and an abduction is an abduction. Abu Omar was already under surveillance when he was abducted, and probably the abduction has stopped a larger inquiry. Not only CIA operatives behaved illegally, but likely damaged the Italian judges' fight against terrorism.
Posted by ConflictOrientedDave, Saturday, November 7, 2009, 9:26 pm Thank god some country is pointing out the flagrant disregard for human rights. In the attempt to wage a war on terrorism, I guess you would have to break about as many international laws as you could. Physician heal thyself,For anyone that thinks this is some isolated incident guess again. These events that happen domestically in the United States on a weekly basis. There are hundreds of such cases happening here in the United States, all targeting young Muslims. The Ft.Dix 5, and Albany should be where you look Ist. Research these cases!
Posted by Chris, Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 9:42 am The Italian courts complete loss of common sense and astounding disregard for true peace and justice is appalling. While handing down this ruling the Italians also recognize that Abu Omar is under investigation for terrorism. The western european apeasement of middle eastern extremists and thier sponsors endangers the safety and security of its own citizens. This court ruling is a pithy little political attempt to show the Muslim world that they will stand up to America. Terrorists like bullies cannot be appeased, it only empowers them.
Post a Comment