An Italian court has convicted an Egyptian Muslim cleric who was kidnapped as part of a CIA-led rendition program of terrorism charges.
The court in Milan on Friday sentenced Abu Omar, originally known as Osama Mustafa Hassan, in absentia to six years in prison.
Abu Omar was living in Italy when he was snatched from a street in Milan in February 2003 being suspected of his involvement in terrorist activities. He was flown by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency first to an American military base in Germany and then to Egyptian capital Cairo, where he was held in secret and allegedly tortured. His kidnapping in Italy was the beginning of an enforced disappearance.
He alleges he was tortured in Egypt in captivity.
Italy convicted 22 CIA agents in absentia over his abduction. Two former top Italian intelligence officials and three agents were also jailed over their involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent rendition of Abu Omar.
The Prosecution accused Abu Omar of collaborating with 13 others to carry out terrorist attacks in Italy and abroad, and bring recruits to Islamic terror camps. He denied the charges.
His lawyer said Abu Omar was currently living in the Egyptian city of Alexandria under tight surveillance and is unlikely to be returned to Italy to serve the sentence, as he is not free to travel or leave the Middle East country.
by RTT Staff Writer