Italy Reinstates Convictions and Orders Prison for Ex-CIA Agents

By Jeralyn, Section Terror Detainees
Posted on Mon Feb 04, 2013 at 12:55:33 PM EST
Tags: CIA, Extraordinary Rendition (all tags)

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The highest court in Italy has reversed a lower court's decision to acquit three CIA agents for their conduct in a 2003 extraordinary rendition case. This brings the number of Americans convicted for participating in the CIA's torture program to 26. The court also increased the sentences of some of those convicted earlier, from 5 to 7 years.

Among those sentenced: Former Rome CIA Station Chief Jeff Castelli who received a sentence of 7 years. The former CIA Station Chief in Milan, Robert Lady, had his sentence increased to 9 years, which makes him eligible for extradition. [More...]

A 2006 amnesty, which applies to these cases, reduces the sentences by three years, bringing Lady's to six years; all of the other sentences, including those handed down Friday, would fall below the extradition threshold.

All were tried and sentenced in absentia, but they are subject to arrest if they travel almost anywhere in Europe.

Those who were flown via Ghost Air to various secret detention facilities around the world were not just subject to harsh interrogation techniques. There was torture. See Benyam Mohammed's account of genital cuts and more. Also see here and several posts accumulated here.

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Italy Reinstates Convictions and Orders Prison for Ex-CIA Agents | 4 comments (4 topical)

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The (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by lentinel on Mon Feb 04, 2013 at 01:41:40 PM EST

way I read this, the Americans convicted of participating in torture are subject to arrest if they are found in Europe.

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no interest in prosecuting torturers in the US. The only people being prosecuted are the people disclosing the names of torturers.

So, if the Americans who have been convicted in absentia in Italy don't travel in Europe, they have nothing to worry about.

This is, for me, the opposite of what I wish our country stood for, but, I suppose I have to come to terms with the reality of post-W. America. It is with us, and isn't going away anytime soon - if ever.

And the horror of it all, the Egyptian "terror suspect",

cleric Osama Moustafa Nasr was abducted on Feb. 17, 2003 and transferred to US bases in Italy and then Germany before being flown to Egypt where he was tortured. Nasr was not finally released from jail until February 11, 2007. He was never convicted of anything.

We need to correct the wrongs: (1.00 / 1) (#2)
by bocajeff on Mon Feb 04, 2013 at 06:01:35 PM EST

After 4 years of President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and the rest of the administration, it is now time to demand an address to the wrongs we committed. Just like what was done to the Americans of Japanese ancestry under FDR, reparations need to be made. Otherwise, we are all accomplices...

this is about the Bush Administration (none / 0) (#3)
by Jeralyn on Mon Feb 04, 2013 at 08:37:35 PM EST

officials and what happened then. Please don't hijack the thread. Your political bias is not welcome.


: Jeralyn, (1.00 / 1) (#4)
by bocajeff on Tue Feb 05, 2013 at 01:58:56 AM EST

I thought this was about right and wrong. I apologize.