ROME, Feb. 7, 2007
Italy To Try GI For Killing Agent In Iraq
U.S. Soldier To Stand Trial In Absentia For Fatal Shooting Of Italian Agent In Baghdad
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The coffin of Italian information officer Nicola Calipari, draped in the Italian flag, is carried outside the Vittoriano Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument in Rome, Monday, March 7, 2005. (AP)
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Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi greets Giuliana Sgrena, the journalist abducted in Iraq, released and later shot at by U.S. troops, at the hospital in Rome, Monday, March 7 2005. (AP)
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Spec. Mario Lozano is indicted for murder and attempted murder in the death of Nicola Calipari, who was shot on March 4, 2005, on his way to the Baghdad airport shortly after securing the release of an Italian journalist who had been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital, prosecutor Pietro Saviotti said.
Another agent, who was driving the car, and the journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, were wounded.
"This looks to me like the first step on a long road toward truth and justice, and I hope justice will come in the end," said a visibly emotional Rosa Calipari, the agent's widow.
Sgrena, the journalist, said she was satisfied with the judge's decision.
Lozano was not at the hearing and his whereabouts are not known, but defendants can be tried in absentia in Italy. Judge Sante Spinaci set his trial date for April 17.
The defense had tried to have the case dismissed, arguing that Lozano had merely been following orders.
"I wasn't expecting this, because I think there were grounds for a dismissal because of the fact that he was following orders," said Lozano's court-appointed lawyer, Fabrizio Cardinali.
Prosecutors so far have not sought the soldier's arrest. Lozano, a member of the New York-based 69th Infantry Regiment, has said through friends in the military that he had no idea the car was carrying the Italians.
If convicted, Lozano could be sentenced to life in prison, said Francesca Coppi, who is Rosa Calipari's lawyer.
The case has strained U.S.-Italian relations. The United States and Italy drew different conclusions in reports on the incident. U.S. authorities have said the vehicle was traveling fast, alarming soldiers, who feared an insurgent attack. Italian officials claimed the car was traveling at normal speed and accused the U.S. military of failing to signal there was a checkpoint.
Calipari's death angered Italians, already largely opposed to the war in Iraq, and the agent was mourned as a national hero.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 30 Commentshttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nazi+muslim
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=nazi muslim&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf
tell it to the fascist nazi islamic muslims haji.....
that is exactly what they do........
And the noose draws just a little tighter for the Bush regime butchers.
we all know you fascist nazi islamic muslims only do what your mullah tells you....... right haji????
Muslim mullas chanted "kill the Kafir!" (non-muslim).
A Hindu being beaten by Muslims in a mosque in Bangladesh. He was captured outside the mosque while going home. After Friday prayers were over, the Muslims came out and grabbed the first Hindu they could. Mr. Vimal Patak a Bangladeshi born Hindu was beaten to death with sticks as the Muslim mullas (priests) chanted "kill the Kafir!" (non-muslim). With folded hands he begged for his life and died a brutal death. It clearly show the cruelty of Islam. "
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Gallery/10.htm
Ali Sina, an ex-Muslim from Iran. He is the creator of Faithfreedom.org.
Yet I know that by eradicating Islam we can save the world from the dangers of a catastrophe that otherwise is looming over our heads and could cause more disaster than the 1st and 2nd World Wars combined. Eradication of Islam means restoring peace among humanity and civility, democracy and prosperity in the Muslim world.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm
islam is a violation of international law
islam practices slavery on non muslaims
islam practices aparthied on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices genocide on non muslims
all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity
Christians were responsible for the following
Slavery,Arpethied,Rape, Genocide and Pillage.
They excused it by calling it
1/ The Crusades
2/ The Heresy trials
3/ The Inquisitions
So lets not show our hypocrisy and bigotry.
don't forget the DNC voted overwhelmingly for the war skippy....
try voting third party next time......
btw..... there will be no trials.....
Don't we have a high and mighty opinion of ourselves.
This is very similar to the inappropriately named "friendly fire" where the U.S track record is apalling.
Shoot first and ask questions afterwards, and if a mistake made, then slander the victim.
Let the judicial process in Italy decide the responsibility.
Maybe the paranoia of a world conspiracy against the U.S. is rearing it's ugly head again.
I'm sure the US soldier engaged a vehicle that didn't stop when it was told to. Our soldiers will light up every car that doesn't stop for them. The Italian just didn't want to wait in line.
Having said that I think Americans should think about how BUSH and CO. should be punished for their incompetence.
Get Bush and try him and Cheney for war crimes!
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