Italy may seek extradition of CIA agents who kidnapped imam in Milan News
Italy may seek extradition of CIA agents who kidnapped imam in Milan

[JURIST] An Italian judicial source told Reuters Monday that Italy plans to formally seek the extradition of 13 agents working for the CIA for their alleged role in the 2003 seizure and deportation from Italy of Egyptian imam Abu Omar [Washington Post report]. The same source said Italy might put out a general international arrest warrant for the agents as common fugatives. An extradition request would be the first time that a major US ally has sought the extradition of American agents involved in US "renditions" of terror suspects to other jurisdictions for questioning. The news comes after an Italian judge last week issued domestic arrest warrants on the 13 agents [JURIST report] for abducting Abu Omar. International legal experts consider it highly unlikely [NYT report], however, that the US government would voluntarily turn over its own agents in such circumstances. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.