Italian judge denies immunity claim of CIA agent accused in kidnapping plot News
Italian judge denies immunity claim of CIA agent accused in kidnapping plot

[JURIST] An Italian judge ruled Tuesday that a former CIA station chief in Milan is not protected by diplomatic immunity, upholding an arrest warrant issued for his alleged participation in the kidnapping of Egyptian cleric Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr [Wikipedia profile]. The judge held that even though former agent and US diplomatic consul Robert Seldon Lady relinquished all immunity when he left his post in August 2004, the protection given to consular officials is "always within the limits of international law." Furthermore, "within these limits, naturally, is the principle of the sovereignty of the host state that cannot allow on its territory the use of force by a foreign state that outside every control of the political and judicial authorities." Earlier this month Italian prosecutors requested the extradition of 22 former CIA agents [JURIST report], including Lady, who is currently in the US. Italian prosecutors claim that the agents abducted Nasr, an alleged terrorist, in Milan on Feburary 17 2003 and flew him to Egypt, where he was reportedly tortured. Though Lady's lawyer claims the evidence against him is weak, and the Italian justice Minister has cast doubts on the impartiality of the investigation [JURIST report], prosecutors say they can prove through cell phone and computer records that Lady played a central role in the abduction. The Guardian has more.

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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.