7.01.2005
Italy Summons U.S. Ambassador Over Kidnapping (Reuters.com)
Thu Jun 30, 2005 11:10 AM ET
By Phil Stewart
ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government denied on Thursday that it authorized an alleged CIA-led kidnapping of a terrorism suspect in Milan, and summoned the U.S. ambassador to discuss the 2003 abduction.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlo Giovanardi told the Senate that Rome had no prior knowledge of any such operation. He denied suggestions that authorities gave the CIA a green light to fly the Muslim cleric to Egypt, where prosecutors believe he was tortured.
"The prime minister has summoned the U.S. ambassador, who is currently off-base. As soon as he returns to Italy, probably tomorrow, he will go to Palazzo Chigi," Giovanardi said, referring to the prime minister's offices.
It was the first official comment by the Italian government since Milan Judge Chiara Nobili last week issued arrest warrants for 13 people who judicial sources say are linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
The suspects, who prosecutors believe have left the country, are all tied to the kidnapping of cleric Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, also known as Abu Omar.
Nasr was already under investigation in Italy for terrorism when he was grabbed off a Milan street on Feb. 17, 2003 and shoved into a white van.
The Italian prosecutors' office says evidence suggests he was then flown home to Egypt, handed over to authorities and subjected to "physical violence" meant to help interrogation.
(More ... Top News Article | Reuters.com) ¶ 08:35
By Phil Stewart
ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government denied on Thursday that it authorized an alleged CIA-led kidnapping of a terrorism suspect in Milan, and summoned the U.S. ambassador to discuss the 2003 abduction.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlo Giovanardi told the Senate that Rome had no prior knowledge of any such operation. He denied suggestions that authorities gave the CIA a green light to fly the Muslim cleric to Egypt, where prosecutors believe he was tortured.
"The prime minister has summoned the U.S. ambassador, who is currently off-base. As soon as he returns to Italy, probably tomorrow, he will go to Palazzo Chigi," Giovanardi said, referring to the prime minister's offices.
It was the first official comment by the Italian government since Milan Judge Chiara Nobili last week issued arrest warrants for 13 people who judicial sources say are linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
The suspects, who prosecutors believe have left the country, are all tied to the kidnapping of cleric Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, also known as Abu Omar.
Nasr was already under investigation in Italy for terrorism when he was grabbed off a Milan street on Feb. 17, 2003 and shoved into a white van.
The Italian prosecutors' office says evidence suggests he was then flown home to Egypt, handed over to authorities and subjected to "physical violence" meant to help interrogation.
(More ... Top News Article | Reuters.com) ¶ 08:35
