By Phil Stewart, Reuters
Hours before President George W. Bush visits Italy, 26 U.S. citizens go on trial in absentia in Milan on Friday accused of carrying out one of Washington’s most controversial policies in its war on terrorism.
The U.S. citizens, almost all believed to be CIA agents, have been charged with kidnapping a Muslim in Milan in 2003 who was on Washington’s list of terrorist suspects and flying him to Egypt where he says he was tortured under interrogation.
Italian spies, including the former head of the country’s SISMI intelligence agency, are accused of helping the U.S. citizens carry out the so-called extraordinary rendition.
Washington has said it will reject any request by Italy to extradite the accused.
(Original Article)