WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and author the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act, H.R. 952, renewed his call for an end to the CIA practice called extraordinary rendition, which has turned into an international embarrassment.

“As Justice Brandeis once said, ‘Sunshine is the best antiseptic.’ Today’s case sheds more light on the ugly U.S. practice of extraordinary rendition. Italy now joins Sweden and Germany in investigating extra-legal actions by the United States on the streets of sovereign allies. In Italy warrants for kidnapping have been issued for 13 CIA agents. Germany is also considering issuing charges against the U.S. for the kidnapping of a German citizen. The War on Terror must be won, but it will not be won by scooping up people on the streets of Italy and sending them to prisons in Egypt,” said Rep. Markey.

An Italian investigation into the disappearance of an Italian resident near his home in Milan on February 17, 2003 led to the indictment and the issue of warrants for 13 CIA agents on charges of kidnapping. The Italian press reports that CIA involvement in this case was determined by tracking the use of Italian cell phones. A total of 17 cell phones were identified in use at the time of and on the street where the Italian resident was abducted. The cell phones were found to have made calls to among other places, the U.S. consulate in Milan and Langley, Virginia—the headquarters of the CIA.

Prior investigations have linked privately owned jets, including the Gulfstream V jet, to flights in and out of U.S. airports and bases to Europe and eventually terminating in countries that include some of the world’s most notorious human rights violators such as Syria, Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The jets are owned by shell companies and are believed to act as a front for CIA operations where by CIA agents pick, drug and shackle individuals, and fly them to Syria and Uzbekistan where they are likely to be interrogated under torture.

“This is an outrageous practice. The United States cannot stand for torture. This Administration’s rogue kidnapping efforts are now being questioned by some of our closest allies in the war on terror. This practice of rendition will only impede our fight against terrorism and alienate our allies. President Bush needs to put an end to the practice of outsourcing of torture, his defense of this illegal practice jeopardizes U.S. officials who are now caught in the middle of an international kidnapping,” said Rep. Markey.