Italy convicts Air Force O-6 in CIA kidnap case

[unhappycamper]

Italy convicts Air Force O-6 in CIA kidnap case
Colleen Barry - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 16:46:03 EST

An Italian judge on Wednesday convicted an Air Force colonel and 22 other Americans in absentia of the 2003 kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric from a Milan street, in a landmark case involving the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program in the war on terrorism.

Citing diplomatic immunity, Judge Oscar Magi told the Milan courtroom Wednesday that he was acquitting three other Americans.

Col. Joseph Romano, commander of the 37th Training Group at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and 21 of the Americans received five-year sentences. Former Milan CIA station chief, Robert Seldon Lady, received eight years in prison.

Prosecutors identified all but Romano as CIA agents. They were tried in absentia as subsequent Italian governments refused or ignored prosecutors’ extradition request.

In Washington, CIA spokesman George Little declined to comment on the convictions. He said, “The CIA has not commented on any of the allegations surrounding Abu Omar,” the kidnapped man.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/11/airforce_italy_case_110409/