Elites TV
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has asked the United States to respect Italian sovereignty as it investigates the alleged kidnapping of a Muslim cleric believed to be a terror suspect in Milan.
According to Italian prosecutors, 13 Americans believed to be CIA agents had Osama Nasr Mostafa Hassan, also known as Abu Omar in Milan kidnapped and brought to Egypt where he was interrogated and allegedly tortured. The incident took place February 17, 2003.
In a statement issued Friday by the Italian Prime Ministers office, the government set forth that 'Berlusconi received ... the United States ambassador, Mel Sembler, to whom he explained the indispensable demand that the United States fully respect Italian sovereignty.'
The statement indicated the United States ambassador agreed and that 'It was underlined that the close and enduring alliance between the U.S. and Italy is based on the reciprocal respect.'
Italy has claimed that they had no prior notion of the operation when Hassan was kidnapped. American sources have indicated that any such operation that may have been undertaken was cleared with Italian intelligence agents beforehand.
None of the 13 suspects remain in Italy so none of them have been placed under arrest. It is uncertain if Italy would ask for the men to be deported to Rome to face trial and if the United States would agree to do so if asked.
The U.S. government has not commented on the warrants issued in the case.
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