Court: "Italy Can't Try US Soldier" in Death of Italian Intel Agent Nicola Calipari .

Court: Italy can't try US soldier

Court Throws Out Case Against US Soldier Charged With 2005 Killing of Italian in Iraq

ARIEL DAVID
AP News

Oct 25, 2007 08:33 EDT

A court on Thursday threw out the case against a U.S. soldier charged in the 2005 shooting of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq, a killing that infuriated Italians and soured relations with Washington.

The court agreed with the defense argument that Italy had no jurisdiction in the case of Spc. Mario Lozano, a member of the New York-based 69th Infantry Regiment on trial in absentia on charges of murder and attempted murder for the shooting of Nicola Calipari, hailed as a hero by Italians for his role in the rescue of a kidnapped Italian journalist.

Prosecutor Pietro Saviotti said he would decide whether to appeal the ruling after the judges make public their reasoning within 60 days.

Calipari was shot on March 4, 2005 at a checkpoint near Baghdad airport shortly after securing the release of reporter Giuliana Sgrena.

Sgrena, a reporter for the newspaper Il Manifesto, was seized by gunmen in Baghdad in February 2005. She has said Calipari died trying to shield her body from the bullets.

Sgrena and another agent, who was driving the car, were wounded.

"We've given up trying to find the truth about what happened to Nicola Calipari," Sgrena told reporters at the Rebibbia courthouse on the capital's outskirts. "The arrogance of America, which never wanted this trial, has won."

Lozano has always denied wrongdoing, saying he had no choice but to fire. He has told U.S. media that he flashed a warning light signaling the vehicle to stop and that he shot first at the ground, and then at the car's engine.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/10/court_italy_cant_try_us_soldie.php

and it might take a few years...but the WORLD WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE..if our Congress Refuses to.

I don't buy into the bull about that they will get by with all this illegal activity they are doing. the day is coming when charges will be filed against most if not all the perpertrators of this hugh crime against humanity happening in Iraq today. I live for that day

I only wish we could make our peace with Europe and earn the "decent respect of mankind" with them.

It is a pity, or "peccato" as the Italians would say...