Judge in Italy Convicts 23 Americans In CIA Rendition Case

Judge Oscar Magi told the Milan courtroom Wednesday that he was acquitting three other Americans. He cited diplomatic immunity in their cases.

This is the first such trial by any government over the CIA's extraordinary rendition program. In that program, since 9/11, suspects were essentially "kidnapped" and sent overseas for interrogation, much of the time to countries where torture is permitted.

Nasr's lawyer, Carmelo Scambia, has said that Nasr (pictured) suffered "unimaginable torture" during the nearly four years he was in Egyptian custody. While was under surveillance as a terror suspect by Italian authorities prior to his rendition, no arrest warrant had been issued at the time of his disappearance.

Scambia told the court, "He was not a terrorist. He enjoyed political asylum. And most of all, he was a human being."

Convicted in absentia, the 23 have been considered international fugitives. Essentially the same situation that Roman Polanski was in, the "fugitives" could be arrested if they enter Italy.

International human rights groups have called for Italy to seek the not sought the extradition of the Americans, but they have declined. Prosecutors were expected to attempt again, but the decision to request extradition is left to Italy's justice ministry.

Of the 23, all but one received a five-year sentence. Former Milan CIA station chief, Robert Seldon Lady, received the stiffest sentence, eight years in prison.

Written by Michael Santo