Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Religion | Islam |
| Other Names: | Abu Omar |
| Senior posting | |
|---|---|
| Based in | |
| Title | |
| Period in office | |
| Religious career | |
| Post | Imam |
| Personal | |
| Date of birth | 18 March 1963 |
| Place of birth | Egypt |
Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr (Arabic: حسن مصطفى أسامة نصر) (born 18 March 1963), also known as Abu Omar, is an Egyptian cleric. He was living in Italy when he was allegedly kidnapped by the CIA and tortured in Egypt. The "Imam Rapito" affair prompted a series of investigations in Italy.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
He was a member of al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya,[citation needed] an Islamic organisation dedicated to the overthrow of the Egyptian government. The group has been linked to the murder of Anwar Sadat in 1981 and a campaign of terror in the 1990s that culminated in the November 1997 Luxor massacre. As a result it is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. After the Egyptians declared the group illegal, Nasr sought asylum.
[edit] Albania
While in Albania in the mid-1990s, Nasr is reported to have served as an informant for the Albanian national intelligence service, SHiK and, indirectly, the CIA.[1]
[edit] Alleged abduction by the CIA
On February 17, 2003 Nasr was abducted by persons allegedly affiliated with the CIA as he walked to his mosque in Milan for noon prayers, thus becoming an effective ghost detainee. He was later transported to a prison in Egypt where he claims that he was tortured. Nasr's case has been qualified by Swiss senator Dick Marty as a "perfect example of extraordinary rendition".
The abduction prompted a series of investigations and intrigues within the Italian intelligence community and criminal justice system; in the Italian press these are collectively referred to as the Imam Rapito (or "kidnapped Imam") affair.
[edit] Release in February 2007
On February 11, 2007, Mr Nasr's lawyer Montasser el-Zayat confirmed that his client had been released and was now back with his family.[2] He still could face arrest as a suspected terrorist and associate of terrorists if he returns to Italy. However, Nasr's lawyer has said that Nasr intends to return to Italy to testify at the trial of the men and women charged with his abduction.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Abducted imam aided CIA ally, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2005
- ^ Egypt releases 'rendition' cleric, BBC, 12 February 2007
- ^ Italy orders CIA kidnapping trial, BBC, 16 February 2007
[edit] External links
- A lot more information on Abu Omar and controversy in Italy
- Rendition Cindy Sheehan? CIA Fugitive From Italy Justice Is Located
- CIA Ruse Is Said to Have Damaged Probe in Milan: Italy Allegedly Misled on Cleric's Abduction, Washington Post, 6 December 2005
- A Cleric's Journey, Washington Post, 6 December 2005
- Ex-Aviano officer won't comment on alleged abduction, Stars and Stripes, 10 December 2006
- Italy indicts 31 linked to CIA rendition case, International Herald Tribune, 15 February 2007
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nasr, Hassan Mustafa Osama |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Abu Omar |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Imam allegedly kidnapped by CIA in Italy |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1963-03-18 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Egypt |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
