? ?
WORLD / Europe
Germany gives up on extradition of CIA suspects
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-23 22:00
BERLIN - Germany has given up efforts to extradite 13 suspected CIA
agents from the United States in connection with the kidnapping a German
citizen in 2003, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday.
Earlier this year, a Munich court ordered the arrest of the 13 on
suspicion of kidnapping Khaled el-Masri, a German of Lebanese descent who
says he was flown from Macedonia to Afghanistan where he was imprisoned
for months and tortured.
The chief prosecutor for the Bavarian state capital made a formal request
to the German federal government in Berlin that it ask Washington to
extradite the 13 to Germany for trial. But US officials have refused to
meet the demand.
"The Americans have said quite clearly they will not extradite," a
Justice Ministry spokeswoman said.
The development means Germany will not be able to institute proceedings
against the suspected CIA agents.
The Masri case has focused media attention on CIA kidnappings of
suspected terrorists for interrogation in third countries. The practice,
called "extraordinary rendition", has caused tensions inside Germany, and
between Berlin and Washington.
The abduction and interrogation of Murat Kurnaz, a German-born Turk, also
put the CIA and Germany's links with the organisation under scrutiny.
Kurnaz was captured in 2001 and held for 4-1/2 years at the Guantanamo
Bay prison camp in Cuba.
Especially damning was Kurnaz's unconfirmed allegation that German troops
in Afghanistan had participated in his abuse. Berlin says both Kurnaz and
Masri were innocent and their arrests a mistake.
Despite media scrutiny of the two cases, analysts say German cooperation
with the CIA is close, with Berlin and Washington working together to
fight terrorism.
Related Stories ?
CIA missed chances to thwart al-Qaida
===========================================================================
Bush alters CIA interrogations rules
===========================================================================
Plame lawsuit dismissed in CIA leak case
===========================================================================
Bush dismisses CIA leak as old news
===========================================================================
Cuba hits newly released CIA documents
===========================================================================
Top World News ?
* 2m turned homeless since Iraqi war
* Fukuda wins Japan leadership race; to become PM
* Fujimori returns to Peru to face trial
* Iran shows off new missile, taunts Israel
* Japan's ruling party choosing new leader
Today's Top News ?
* Host China eliminated from Women's World Cup
* Fukuda wins Japan leadership race
* Int'l cooperation urged to fight hackers
* 2m turned homeless since Iraqi war
* One more missing Russian tourist found
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Learn Chinese, Free Chinese Lesson, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
