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An Italian court has issued Europe-wide arrest warrants for 22 suspected CIA agents accused of helping to kidnap a Muslim cleric in Milan in 2003.The suspects are accused of abducting Osama Mustafa Hassan, also known as Abu Omar, without Italian permission, and flying him to Egypt for interrogation.

The new warrants allow for the suspects' detention anywhere in the 25-nation EU, a prosecutor said. The authorities had already issued arrest orders within Italy. Correspondents say the case has soured relations between Washington and Rome.

Extradition decision
Italy says the alleged operation hindered Italian terrorism investigations. No arrests have so far been made. However, Italian Justice Minister Roberto Castelli has been sitting on the case, demanding more court documentation before deciding whether to apply to Washington for extradition. Prosecutors say the operation was part of the US anti-terror policy called "extraordinary rendition".

The policy involves seizing suspects and taking them to third countries for questioning without court approval. It has been the subject of controversy recently, with human rights groups alleging that suspects are tortured, and that the CIA has secret prisons where it keeps prisoners without reference to US or international law.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently defended the use of rendition, saying it was an established practice and suggesting it was often carried out with the knowledge, or participation, of European governments.

'No knowledge'
Mr Hassan, 42, is believed to have been abducted on 17 February 2003, and flown out of the country from a US base in Aviano, north of Venice. He reportedly called his family last year, telling them he had been tortured with electric shocks during his detention. The CIA has refused to comment on the case and the Italian government has said it had no prior knowledge of any kidnap plot.

Mr Hassan is believed to have arrived in Italy in 1997, where he was granted refugee status.