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13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe

Italy has forwarded its arrest warrants for 13 CIA agents accused of kidnapping one of its citizens to Eurojust and Europol so that they can be picked up anywhere in Europe.

As of Monday, 13 CIA agents are being sought for arrest throughout Europe. The agents are accused of abducting Imam Abu Omar in Milan and taking him to Egypt where he was tortured. The formal transmission of the arrest warrants to the Eurojust judicial coordination office means that they are immediately effective throughout all E.U. member countries. [Eurojust is Europe's main agency for judicial cooperation]. At this stage every European police officer could arrest as well as identify the 13 CIA agents who are now “on the run.”

....The public prosecutor’s office has asked police forensic scientists to enhance the photos of the 13 CIA abductors to facilitate the Europe-wide search. The entire “photo album” will be forwarded to Eurojust and Europol, the coordinating body for Europe's police forces, to be circulated in particular at airports and border posts. The ID photos of the wanted agents were seized by DIGOS officers at the 23 Italian hotels that the agents stayed in during three-months of preparation for the week-long abduction operation. The three women and ten men used their American passports to register at the hotels, many of which kept photocopies of the documents. Some of the photocopies are a little dark, hence the request to forensic scientists to make all thirteen faces identifiable.

Background on the arrests is here.

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    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Anyone taking bets as to whether the 13 will be caught and brought to "justice"? Personally, I'm not holding my breath.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#2)
    by Andreas on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Whether or not the accused CIA operatives are brought to trial, the indictment against them has thrown the spotlight on the outlaw role of the US on the world arena. But other questions are raised by the US government’s practice of thwarting investigations and prosecutions of terrorist suspects by other countries. What are the Bush administration and the American intelligence agencies afraid of? Are they following the old adage that dead men—and “disappeared” men—tell no tales? Are they deliberately aborting trials that might reveal links between the American state and terrorist groups and individuals, including those connected to the attacks of September 11, 2001?
    Italy seeks arrest of 13 CIA agents for abduction of Egyptian cleric By Barry Grey, 27 June 2005

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#3)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    This was the front page story in the Sunday Chicago Tribune, fascinating story.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Anyone taking bets as to whether the 13 will be caught and brought to "justice"? Personally, I'm not holding my breath. Me either. On the other hand, it's gotta put a serious dent in their careers.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#5)
    by Andreas on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Anyone taking bets as to whether the 13 will be caught and brought to "justice"?
    If the US government hides them an arrest warrant for the leader of the US government could potentially follow.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:38 PM EST
    Handwringing over the lack of justice in the USPNAC coup is understandable; but consider three facts: • Blair is about to lose his job. • His replacement, and the House of Lords, may order an investigation. • The UK is a signatory on the ICC. Blair may end up on trial for his war crimes. These CIA agents are a pimple on the arse of a great monster that is wearing an American flag to fool the public into support of its crimes. That monster's looking pretty ugly, and is starting to take hits.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#7)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Andreas writes:
    If the US government hides them an arrest warrant for the leader of the US government could potentially follow.
    There is not a viable government in the whole wide world stupid enough to even hint they would do that. So that leaves out Cuba, N Korea, Syria, Iran, Palestine... BTW - Can someone who actually knows, explain this. Is this being done by the Italian government, or some backwater judge? i.e. Our Feds vs Justice of the Peace of Podunk, the Hon. Joe Bob.... PIL - You continue to amuse.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Italy, as a sovereign nation, has the right to enforce their laws. At first glance, the evidence points to the agents having committed a kidnapping. Who could blame Italy for not wanting CIA agents running roughshod in their country?

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#9)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    This is waaaay outside my area of knowledge, but it seems likely that we have extradition treaties with Italy. If the U.S. government knows where those agents are, we might be unambiguously obligated to turn them over.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Germano Dottori, a political analyst at the Center for Strategic Studies in Rome, said it is not unusual for intelligence agencies to have squabbles with allied countries but that he could not recall prosecutors directly involved in investigating or apprehending agents involved. ``At some point the Americans will begin to think they can't trust the Italians,'' Dottori said An "activist" judge it would appear as their are no current stories from Italia as to government support or sanction.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    roy - not if they were acting in their capacity as agents of the US government (which I assume they were). In that situation it becomes an 'illegal espionage' case; the two governments would politely disagree over whether the 13 acted inappropriately, and the matter would be resolved in diplomatic circles. The alternative would be for Italy to consider the whole thing an act of war (since it was in some sense a violation of their national integrity)...but really, I don't think anyone involved would want to take it to that extreme. More likely Italy will apply diplomatic pressure on the US via the E.U, a deal will be reached, and the kidnappee will eventually be returned.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    if you read the Chicago Tribune article, this kidnappee called home to let everyone know he was being tortured in Egypt. Do they allow telephones in their torture chambers? if we did it, I am happy to know that jihadists do not get rest and vacation time in Europe as was done with Khomeini. except in the Netherlands, of course, where government officials have to reside in safe houses for fear of assassination by them. [this commenter is now limited to four comments a day]

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    If 13 Italian spies had kidnapped some dude off the streets of NYC, we would all be screaming for their heads, and rightly so.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#14)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    What is the precedent for your "illegal espionage" statement grad student. I seem to recall Chines spies and Cuban spies being arrested in the US a few years ago. Or would that be considered different because we are not allies?

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#15)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    You are right Kdog, there is a huge double standard in this country, not exclusive to the right or the left.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Indicative, I feel, of the general "above the law" mentality that is rampant in our govt. today.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#17)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    grad - 1) thanks for commenting on topic. 2) US and Int'l law doesn't allow for allies to stage covert ops, humanint and/or kidnapping of citizens in other allies countries. See jonathan pollard. Please post links for your allegations that " In that situation it becomes an 'illegal espionage' case". Kidnapping is kidnapping. Perhaps you could put yourself in others' places and examine what kdog said about Italians kidnapping on US soil.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#18)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    et al - From our World Socialist friends, we have this:
    They drove him to Aviano Air Force Base, a joint US-Italian facility several hours away, making cell phone calls along the way to a US commander at the base to inform him of their progress.
    Now, are you saying that Italy routinely moniters US CIA agents cell phone frequencies? But wait! There are no set frequencies. So they were monitering all CIA telephone calls through the cell phone switching system? But wait! That's a civilian switch, and they couldn't have known which system the CIA calls would come through... Now if they had the system rigged to respond to all of the CIA's phones, then maybe. And that assumes that they know all of the phone numbers.... So we kidnap a terrorits, and they routinely spy on our cell phone conversations.... But wait! The trip took several hours. I wonder why the Italians, knowing that a kidnapping was underway, did nothing? My BS filter is a full alert. And when you consider that we give him to the Egyptians who let him make a phone call? Huh? Know what I think? I think we have a prosecutor and judge looking for some payback. And the Italians will be a long time getting back into our good graces, if these claims are true.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#19)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    just like we do, the italians monitor all phones, transmissions and int'l communications. Their intrercepts, just like ours, can't be assembled in real time, too much data. Ohh golly, the US's good graces; I think the whole world knows what that's worth. So if Italian SS agents kidnapped american's on american soil and sent them to another country to be tortured we wouldn't have a problem with it!? We wouldn't issue subpoenas for them? We wouldn't want them tried? Nice try.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#20)
    by The Heretik on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    This tale of twisted international law, the pursuit of criminals by law breaking agents will continue to devolve. What will be revealed will not be pretty. More on this at Band on the Run

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#21)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Sailor writes:
    Their intrercepts, just like ours, can't be assembled in real time, too much data.
    Wrong. The technology exists now, especially if you have the cell phone numbers. I would surmise that the Italians were informed in advance, and agreed to it, if it happened at all.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#22)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    When you intercept calls for an entire nation, it takes awhile for the algorithms to suss out the suspect calls. I would surmise that the Italians were informed in advance, and agreed to it, if it happened at all. Anyone else spot the oxymoron in that statement?

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#23)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:40 PM EST
    Sailor - You aren't looking at a "nation." You are wrong.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#24)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:40 PM EST
    Now, are you saying that Italy routinely moniters US CIA agents cell phone frequencies? But wait! There are no set frequencies. So they were monitering all CIA telephone calls through the cell phone switching system? But wait! That's a civilian switch, and they couldn't have known which system the CIA calls would come through... Now if they had the system rigged to respond to all of the CIA's phones, then maybe. And that assumes that they know all of the phone numbers.... PPJ, you are giving our guys way too much credit and the Italians far too little. Perhaps you should have read the article that described the investigation. The CIA didn't use any fancy gear, they used off-the-shelf cell phones just like you and I use. After the kidnapping the Italian investigators looked at the records of all calls originating or being received in the area at the time of the kidnapping. They identified fifteen phones that were in constant communication with each other. Then they looked at the records of later calls and locations from these phones, which gave them the route, speed and direction of the kidnappers headed to the AFB. By identifying the number being called, they identified who was being informed of the progress. After identiying the phone numbers being used, they identified who owned the phones, and tracked the purchases and the purchasers, which they then linked through credit cards to hotel room rentals, giving them the movements leading up to the kidnapping.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#25)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:40 PM EST
    repack - From the article:
    US commander at the base to inform him of their progress. From Aviano he was flown to the US base at Ramstein, Germany, and from there to Egypt.
    So the above is a mere assumption? I mean if they didn't hear it...And the proof that he was flown to Ramstien? And then to Egypt? And then the release, the tel call??? And you are telling me that they are looking at the call records from every cellsite, etc., to determine speed? When did they look at these records? How long does the Italian tel system keep such records stored? What triggered the review? As I said, my BS filter is on full alert. The Italians must have had prior knowledge, if you assume the story is true. BTW - Speed? If I enter a cell site coverage at 10:15, park and have a soda, and leave at 10:30, entering into the next cell site at 10:32, how fast was I driving? BTW - If I enter a cell site's north quadrant from the north, and then skirt the outer edge of the site - as on a beltway freeway, never leaving until I exit on the SE east quadrant - How fast did I drive? Or did I enter from the north and go straight through, but very slowly, as if on surface streets? How fast did I drive? If someone calls my cellphone and my grandson answers, did they talk to me? If a tree falls in the forest, wass there any sound? The information supposedly generated by cell phone records is really useless. Ifs and Buts trying to pose as Candy and Nuts.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Jim, you better stick with the "they never had it so good" argument. Your unwillingness to acknowledge the facts in this case are making you seem more asinine than usual.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Jim: "My BS filter is a full alert." Not only does he claim to not be an R, he claims to have a filter that apparently has no clue about USPNAC. Or does it? No mention yet of the new US airbases all over the ME, two sets of them installed by illegal invasion on false pretenses, and the third, in Qatar, kept secret from the Congress at large. These bases aren't secret to our enemies -- yet they are kept secret from our citizens, and the Cheney/Bush mob never mention it, while they are actively LYING to American faces in total derrogation of the Constitutional oaths they took in total lack of faith. I think 'our relationship' with the Italians will be just fine, Jim. Once we get rid of our rightwing pseudo-governments, that is. Lie Father, Lie Son.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Jim: "PIL - You continue to amuse." That's just the thing, Jim. You don't. I don't find your kind of operative work funny at all. There are tens of thousands of people DEAD over your ha-ha Bush-like smirk of a reality substitute. He's a sociopath. My guess you're just an employee.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    According to a senior Italian investigator,
    We supplied them information about Abu Omar, and then they used that information against us, undermining an entire operation against his terrorist network.

    Undermining an operation against his terrorist network? What I'd like to know is this: What happened to this terrorist network? Anybody know? Can you say "Keystone cops"?

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    So Jim, what exactly is your point? That the events described never happened? That Abu Omar was never abducted? That the Italians made the whole thing up? That these guys weren't CIA operatives? That they didn't have the cellphones detailed in the report (confirmed as being the same cellphones issued to the US Embassy)? That they weren't in Italy at the time? That the calls didn't happen? That the CIA isn't based in Virginia? Jeez, Jim, that's a lot to deny, even for a confirmed Bush Sycophant like you. There's an awful lot of prima facie evidence that what the Italians are saying is true. So what's your alternative story, then, Mr. Intelligence Expert? (Wow, the things they must have taught you during your legendary 13 years in "Marine Aviation"). C'mon, spill the beans, if you have such a deep understanding of Italy's installed cellphone tracking and monitoring systems. What your story? Were these 13 guys just on vacation in Italy? Or are you basically saying that anything and everything that the USA does in it's pursuit of the fake WOT is de facto legal. And that despite being allies in your beloved WOT (aka the illegal Occupation of Iraq) the Italians now officially Hate Freedom? You have excelled yourself on this one Jim. Dissembling, denying, bluffing and lying. You are beneath contempt.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    My BS filter is a full alert.
    It doesn't seem to work for outgoing data

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    It doesn't seem to work for outgoing data
    Game set and match ! Great line ! Perhaps a BS Filter is just a component on a BS Generator.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#33)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    CA - I am not an expert, and have been retired from telecommunications for a couple of years, so it possible that I could be wrong, but what they claim to have discovered by looking at cell phone records is highly suspicious. But hey, pay no attention to someone who was in the business if facts disagree with bias. I hope you keep a more open mind with your Doctor. Ian - My point is the information provided doesn't compute. As for contempt, save if for something you know about. In the meantime, just keep sucking up stuff like this.
    Wow, the things they must have taught you during your legendary 13 years in "Marine Aviation").
    And are you making things up? I spent a little over 10 years in Naval Aviation. And yes, I learned a lot. Pity you haven't. mar and Delta - When it comes to technical issues I would hope people on a legal blog might listen when someone who knows a bit about said issues raises his hand and says, "Hey! That doesn't make sense!" Instead you go for no-nothing positions and attempts at cutesy backslapping "We're great" comments. Sad. cheetah - So you are saying that with the arrest of the number one man the network disbanded? Works for me. Unfortunately there seems to be more than one person wanting to be head terrorist. So if the Italians had the group identified, this didn't do anything really hurting that. PIL - Off subject comment you made there, but I can't resist.
    These bases aren't secret to our enemies -- yet they are kept secret from our citizens,
    Last time I checked they were on the Internet. Some secret, eh? You continue to amuse. et al - I return to what I said, and to which most of you evidently chose to disregard because you were just so eager to attack. If the CIA actually kidnapped this guy, then they did so with prior knowledge and approval of Italian intelligence. That's the only way the information now coming forth could have been gathered. So what you have now is payback from the Italian communists over the reporter screw up, and pressure on the Italian intelligence agencies to provide this information. BTW - Just a side comment. One of the standard arguments against Bush's strategy is that this should have been handled through police type, action, identifying, finding, etc., but no military action. If that was the strategy, you do understand that there would have been a great many things such as this. Don't you? Oh, you never connected the dots? ;-)

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    mar and Delta - When it comes to technical issues I would hope people on a legal blog might listen when someone who knows a bit about said issues raises his hand and says, "Hey! That doesn't make sense!" Instead you go for no-nothing (???) positions and attempts at cutesy backslapping "We're great" comments. Sad.
    Don't know mar, no basis for forming an opinion on his 'greatness' or otherwise. My status in that area will be judged by my peers. Your status in that area blindingly obvious to anyone reading your drivel. Still a damn fine putdown regardless !

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    PPJ, "So you are saying that with the arrest of the number one man the network disbanded?"

    Well...NO! Are you still a little sleepy this morning? I didn't say anything; I asked a question. You know, a sentence that ends with a long curly thing that has a dot under it.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#36)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Delta - You confirm my point. You know nothing about the technical issues, so you go for the put down. Typical. cheetah - Yes, you did. Pardon my bias. It caused me to prejudge your position.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#38)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Still waiting for Grad Students precedent piece. It seems to me that if the situation occurred unbeknownst to the Italian gov't, the most they could be charged with would be a violation of territorial sovereignty. It would also seem that kidnapping would be a stretch if in fact they were acting on behalf of our gov't to pursue a criminal. Or am I missing something in international law?

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#39)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    Jim, nonresponsive as usual: "Last time I checked they were on the Internet. Some secret, eh?" USPNAC is on the Internets too, but how many Americans have any idea that a "Second Pearl Harbor" would be needed to grease the wheels for the illegal invasions that the Tajik->Pakistan pipelines and Iraq->Jordan pipelines require? How many Americans heard from the Fearless Leader (who doesn't fight or go to funerals) last night that installing those airbases was the key reason he took the country to war, and the rest was just convenient lies? NONE. The point is dishonesty, a subject you are an expert at. As for missing something in international law, Jl, yeah, tons. CIA agents in a foreign country are foreign agents. The US has no known treaty with Italy to allow for abductions and smuggling out of abducted suspects. The same kind of abductions and smuggling that just about set off a Venezuela-Colombian war last year. Such actions can easily be seen as acts of war, because they violate sovereignty. And you know it.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#40)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    Well good. The CIA is one of the biggest terrorist organizations on the planet. They should have arrest warrants out for all of the CIA agents.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#41)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    So as my argument stated Paul, a violation of national sovereignty. Try to read slower.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#42)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    DA writes:
    Of course, greater efficiency in the cell phone network doesn't necessarily mean that it's much different than ours, but that matter probably needs research to come to a definite conclusion.
    Actually, DA, the issue here is billing and billing records, that's how they know when you were, were, and not about network efficiency. And I seriously doubt Foregin Affairs can provide expert opinion. Nice try and changing the subject. PIL writes:
    NONE. The point is dishonesty, a subject you are an expert at.
    And my continuing reading of your comments keeps examples ever in front of me.

    Re: 13 CIA Agents Wanted All Over Europe (none / 0) (#43)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM EST
    All the points about the kidnapping and subsequent trace thereof, (including tracking cell phones, flights, hotel records and passport fotos) have been shown to be true by an amalgam of articles (some of which were linked to by commenters.) Why would anyone bother to respond to a commenter who insists on an alternate reality?