Italian prosecutors begin closing arguments at CIA rendition trial in Milan

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Prosecutors began closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of 26 Americans and seven Italians accused of orchestrating a CIA-led kidnapping of an Egyptian terrorism suspect.

The arguments by prosecutor Armando Spataro signaled the final phase of the first trial in any country involving the CIA’s extraordinary renditions program.

Spataro’s arguments, including the specific sentence he wants for each defendant, are expected to continue into next week.

A verdict is expected by year’s end.

Prosecutors say the 26 Americans were mostly CIA agents who worked with Italian intelligence to organize the kidnapping of Muslim cleric Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr from Milan in February 2003.

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