NYT: Experts Doubt Accused C.I.A. Operatives Will Stand Trial in Italy

[maddezmom]

By ADAM LIPTAK
Published: June 27, 2005

WASHINGTON, June 26 - The chances are relatively remote that the 13 people linked to the C.I.A who were ordered arrested by an Italian judge last week will ever stand trial there, experts in international law said Sunday.

The 13 people, charged with illegally seizing an Egyptian cleric on a Milan street two years ago and flying him to Egypt for questioning, are presumed to have left Italy.

If they are indeed Americans and C.I.A. officers and operatives, as described in the arrest warrants, and if they are now in the United States, the American government may in theory be obligated to extradite them. As a practical matter, however, experts said, it is almost inconceivable that the government would turn over agents who had carried out an operation authorized by the United States and meant to combat terrorism.

"There is close to no probability that the United States is going to extradite any of these people to Italy, notwithstanding the letter of any treaty," said Peter J. Spiro, who teaches international law at the University of Georgia. "It's very unlikely that there is going to be any sort of cooperation on this end."

~snip~
more:http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/politics/27milan.html?hp&ex=1119844800&en=e2c756c26fcb5d78&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Mythsaje]

1. Hardly comes as a surprise

after all, weren't they vehemently against any sort of World Court...can't have their agents arrested and charged for crimes when they might very well crack and point fingers at the real source of the problem.