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Subscribe to RSSROME — On the crisp morning of Feb. 17, 2003, Abu Omar, a Muslim cleric in Milan, was walking near his mosque when a group of men suddenly grabbed him, tossed him in the back of a van, drove him to NATO's Aviano Air Base and flew him to Cairo, where he claims he was tortured for seven months.
On Friday, a Milan appeals court sentenced a former CIA station chief to seven years in jail, convicting him in the cleric's kidnapping, which was part of the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" program. Two six-year sentences were also handed out to two American officials for the same crime.
Jeff Castelli, a former CIA station chief in Rome, along with Betnie Medero and Ralph Russomando, had been acquitted due to their dimplomatic immunity in the 2009 trial, while 23 other U.S. citizens were sentenced to prison in absentia.
Abu Omar, whose name is Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, is one of the most documented Egyptian terror suspects in the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program. Following his abduction and detention, he was released by an Egyptian court in 2007, and is now a free man.
None of the Americans has ever been in custody, as they fled Italy before their convictions. The Italian court wants them to be extradited, but Italy has always kept the lid of secrecy on the incident, and never formally asked the U.S. to hand them over. More importantly, Italy’s court decision in 2009 represented the first time any country held CIA operatives responsible for an extraordinary rendition, a practice that was widely tolerated in Europe.
While it is unlikely any of those convicted will face any time in prison, they now face arrests should they travel anywhere in Europe. In a strange twist of fate, it seems, the renditioners have now become the renditioned.
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I hope their lives will be as miserable as their victim's.
"In a strange twist of fate, it seems, the renditioners have now become the renditioned."
And in a predictable way, Italy has convicted another American for something - because it can.
So, cheetah, you think it is perfectly acceptable for us to violate the laws of other sovereign nations and not be held accountable for it? I'm sure if some foreign agents grabbed someone off the street in this country you'd be outraged, but if we do it in another country it's OK because we ARE The United States.
You really should learn to keep your stupid comments to yourself.
Mike, I disagree. So if some one who wants to harm the United States and just happens to be in another country they get a free ride? High fives and congrats CIA.
stonepipe2, you smoked too much.
That makes zero sense...the guy they kidnapped had done nothing against the US. His crime was being a Muslim during the US hysteria over 9/11.
"Abu Omar, whose name is Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, is one of the most documented Egyptian terror suspects in the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program."
Yea, yea, yea. As common as John Smith.
Makes me proud to be an american..
not
leave
No you leave...you're the one condoning criminality.
The way our government has handled the terrorism challenge has been most dismaying. If we are to consider ourselves civilized and a nation built on laws, we must abide those laws while working to prevent terroristic acts. We have lost the respect of many people by our violent re-action and by our disregard of human rights; we have squandered the sympathy and goodwill felt by almost everyone around the world after the 9/11 attacks. It is very sad that we did not use this tragic opportunity to truly lead the world and turn everyone against the terrorists. Instead we have driven many into the arms of the extremists and caused great suffering and the deaths of thousands and thousands of innocent people.
I hope this case and its verdicts hold and are strictly and firmly enforced. One always has to worry that amidst all this sudden knowledge of "violations of human rights, civil rights and sovereign rights" that what is upheld, right and just maybe too quickly forgotten in a few years or poorly enforced. Only when we make our laws heard and enforce it without prejudice or partiality...can we truly call ourselves a civilized land of appropriate laws that are appropriately enforced. No committed caring journalist should take the eye away from this issue...and make sure they inform us that the "conviction stayed and was followed through". If these operatives are pardoned, if they get three months and walk away, or get their sentences reduced justice is not served. That should not happen!
You may have misread the article, though it was not very clear.
None of these guys (CIA) are in custody or have been anywhere near Europe since 2003. This is more or less a statement sentence and a show-retrial from the 2009 verdict where they were basically acquitted due to diplomatic immunity.
They should have killed the lousy terrorist
He wasn't a terrorist, but that probably doesn't matter to the likes of you.
A known terrorist is kidnapped and sent to a Muslim country where he is tortured. His kidnapping is facilitated by the CIA. Italy does not like their terrorists kidnapped and want the CIA operatives extradited for their part in his kidnapping. People are outraged by the torture but say nothing about the over 17,000 terrorist attacks throughout the war after 9/11. This looks like someone in the Italian government is either been coerced or payed off to pursue this path. Europeans can be just as hypocritical as every other culture in the world. In the absence of real leadership people will allow terrorism to rule.
They don't like it when their geologists fail to predict earthquakes either. They sent 2 or 3 of them to jail for 6 years.
I didn't know earthquakes were predictable.
What do you expect from a country that sold its soul to the Vatican. 'You follow fascism and we'll set up the Vatican city as its own country.' Now feel free to molest thousands of children. Its not a big deal to them. Hell they have they want to reelect the convicted Silvio Berlusconi. Need we say any more.
Laws mean nothing when they constantly changing and are misinterpreted.
In Italy, I am surprised the prosecutors didn't try to bring up the 'sex game gone wrong' theory in this case, too. Maybe the CIA should round up a few Italian spies in the US to even the score.
lets see who started the war lets not forget--- screw italy
Had dinner at a nice ITALIAN ristorante tonight. Delizioso!
These CIA ''operatives'' seemingly circumvent other nations' laws with impunity. However, it may prove wise if their future exploits NOT require them to travel to Europe in the future or they just might get a taste of their own medicine.
Please! those operatives will have different identities if they need to travel through Europe. CIA operatives were following commands from their higher ups. If you want to convict someone, not that we should, then you need to look to the commander who authorized these renditions.
"In a strange twist of fate, it seems, the renditioners have now become the renditioned"
Most nonsensical sentence in the history of journalism. Kudos, MSNBC, for lowering the bar even further.
Yeah...that was pretty awful....
I guess you mean NBCNEWS, for quite a while now the MS, which used to be Microsoft's share, has been removed. It is only NBC now. So try to get it right.
Eric STFU
DougLogan-stuntman, P.I.
if you cannot be civil then please stop posting
Nittyahoo should also be convicted for murdering civilians and sentenced to death.
GM HvD.
My goodness you are obsessed. The story has to do with Italy. Not Israel. Both countries begin with an "I" and both are located on the Med but the similarities pretty much end there.
Well Hitler von Doosh,
Lets start with all the Mullahs that are killing their own people. Start with Assad. Oh thats right, the world wont go after him. I'm sure more stern statements of condemnation will solve the problem.
Israel may use disproportional responses but don't be confused those are responses. Palestinians would have their own country if they would play ball but they have no desire for that they would prefer martyrdom to freedom. Israel will oblige.
@#10.1
Indeed Italy and israel are vastly different. Italy is a responsible member of the international community while the latter is a rogue state practices state terrorism.
Italy does not steal neighbour's land and oppress its people. Italy does not break international law by attacking other sovereign states. Italy does not practice blatant racism by forceably sterize non-white jewish women.
The same cannot be said for israel.
Justice served. No government ANYWHERE, should tolerate this kind of behavior. Due process of law. And a court trial. I don't care what someone is accused of, or guilty of, they deserve their day in court like everyone else.
Kidnapping and torture are criminal acts, and a war crime when carried out by a State agency.
If you don't like it here, leave. No one will miss you.
I would!
Bush was an egomaniac,a megalomaniac and a narcissist.No doubt the CIA did many despicable things before Bush,but at least they tried to be secretive about it.They became very bold and brazen under his regime, because they knew that criminal,and his lawyers, had their backs.If this guy was a terrorist,why bother to kidnap him,and then let him go? A sniper could've cut the odds of getting caught immensely,and sent a much stronger message.
If intelligence agents from any other country were to pull a stunt like this on our soil,
we would start a full-blown war!
And we wonder why people in some countries consider us bullies.
Hello folks, um start thinking.....Berluscino has reminded us all of how wonderful Mussolini was....I think that Italy has serious problems with it's legal systems. While I don't necessarily approve of kidnapping, um, maybe it happened and maybe it didn't...We don't really know after all this time, do we? Nine years ago? We have accusations by a fascist government.
I do not love our rendition program, or our George Bush "anything goes" policy. What I think is that we need to seriousely consider and reconsider our knee jerk reactions.
Clinton ordered the NATO bombing of a Bosnian Serb TV Station. In an attempt to ASSASSINATE a POLITICAL Leader, instead he killed 16+TV personnel...
This was against - standing US Laws & numerous International Laws...
Obama's CIA is using their Armed drones in VIOLATION of many International Laws...
Under Laws installed by Obama - US Citizens can be KILLED with out any court over-sight or detained INDEFINITELY...
Obama has JAILED US Citizens and/or banned travelers from entering the USA. Due to threats & an Email that called him a PR!CK...
'The Land of the FREE'... Ha! Ha!
Oh, now the President installs laws? When did that start?
The Bosnian bombings were sanctioned by NATO, not President Clinton.
The NDAA 2012 was passed 98-0 by the U.S. SENATE. It was veto proof.
But let's blame the presidents, as long as they are Democrats.
Why do you consistently ignore facts and post nonsense?
"You're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts." Danial Patrick Moynihan
MikeO76,
1. Presidential Executive Orders - "states a condition, declares a law and requires obedience, recognizes an event or triggers the implementation of a law (by recognizing that the circumstances in law have been realized)".[12] The Presidents EO's are Federal Laws, usually prosecuted as FELONIES. Congress cannot directly vote to override an EO in the way they can a veto. It has been argued that a Congressional override of an EO is a nearly impossible event due to the supermajority vote required and the fact that such a vote leaves individual lawmakers very vulnerable to political criticism.[11]
2. Congress passes the US Bills/Laws and the POTUS signs them into LAW. Although it is the responsibility of Congress to introduce and pass legislation, it is the POTUS's duty to either approve those bills or reject them. Once the president signs a bill into law, it goes immediately into effect unless there is another effective date noted. Only the Supreme Court may remove the law, by declaring it unconstitutional...
3. Obama had a chance to VETO or require CHANGES to NDAA 2012 & 2011 - TWICE. The POTUS is not obligated to sign anything, even if it was unanimously passed in Congress...
4. Obama has been end-running Congressional 'Over-Sight' by using his CZARS and enacting regulations/EOs that regulate the Federal Agencies...
There are the TRUE FACTS about the Powers of the POTUS...
Hey don't forget who gave the orders...Bush, Cheney...
This is just one that was not killed and buried in the desert, what a sick joke played on the world.
I just hope we learned something about ourselves and how we react when manipulated by fear and greed.
Props to the CIA for protecting it's employees.
Allowing the terrorists to make us over in their own likeness gives them the victory they sought.
If you believe in good vs evil, then in this case, evil has now turned us.
Very positive development. It is important to note that the victim, a lawful resident of Italy, had never been accused of a crime by either the Italian nor the US government. He was swiped up by terrorists in their own right, that is, the CIA goons and their henchmen. It caused a hugh diplomatic row between two very close allies. Italy has been at the forefront in the fight against terrorism and what better way to kick sand in the eye of an ally that to violate its sovereignty and commit a heinous crime. By the way, Aviano Air Forcer base is a NATO base and the US has no sovereignty over it. If the US and NATO want to continue to have access to such bases in foreign countries, the US better use them according to signed agreements, and not as an instrumentality of torture.
Obama and Clinton...international diplomacy rock stars that can't dance...
It goes without saying that the CIA shares many commonalities with the SD (Sicherheitsdienst), the security arm of the former NSDAP and the dreaded former Soviet NKVD (precursor to the KGB). What with the ''midnite knock on the door(NO matter the country) or the clandestine ''renditions'' to secret ''prisons'' to be given ''special treatment''---who would have thought? It was later reported that many foreign citizens ''suspected'' of nefarious deeds were actually innocent or garden-variety criminals who ''looked'' suspicious.
The CIA has no business going into other countries and kidnapping people Its bad enough they do it in the US