 (AKI) - A Tunisian citizen facing deportation from Italy after being cleared of terrorism charges would face 20 years in prison if sent home, a human rights organisation has claimed. Campaign group Human Rights Watch has attacked the Italian government saying Tunisian citizen Nassim Saadi would face the lengthy jail sentence because he was convicted in absentia in Tunisia for incitement to terrorism.
| If he's a terrorist, a 20 year sentence sounds a little .. light. And he could have stayed home to fight in court. Sounds like he wants to enjoy la dulce vita whilst spreading jihad. |
"Instead of sending people back to face ill-treatment, Rome should put pressure on Tunis to stop abusing prisoners," said Julia Hall senior Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Sending people back to risk ill-treatment undermines fundamental European values."
| So they don't know for certain that Nassim will get thumped in Tunisia, it's just a 'risk'. |
Human Rights Watch last week sent a letter to the Italian Minister of Justice Clemente Mastella, in which it expressed concern about the Italian government's reliance on diplomatic assurances from Tunisia to treat Nassim humanely.
Nassim, who lives in Milan, was declared not guilty of association with international terrorism in 2005 in Italy, but was convicted of criminal conspiracy and forgery. In Tunisia he was convicted in absentia of being a member of a terrorist organisation operating abroad for incitement to terrorism.
Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato ordered the "fast-track" deportation of Nassim - a special procedure for terrorism-related cases that denies suspects the right to remain in Italy, while their appeal against deportation is considered.
The United Nations committee against torture has harshly criticised Italy's policy for lacking protection against returns to torture.
| It's easy to criticize Y'urp-peons, they just quiver in response. |
Nassim had appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming he risks torture if returned to his home country. The court subsequently requested that Italy suspend the deportation until a final judgement in the case is made. The Italian government on the other hand, argued before the court in July 2007 that the Tunisian government promised to treat Saadi humanely, thereby reducing the risk of ill-treatment.
| Just you wait til Carla del Ponte hears of this ... |
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