ROME, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- An Italian judge acquitted a U.S. soldier Thursday of killing an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq, saying Italy did not have jurisdiction.
Prosecutor Franco Ionta said the reason behind the judges decision would be made public within a few weeks, CNN said.
An Italian judge indicted Spc. Mario Lozano of the New York Army National Guard on charges of homicide and attempted homicide in the fatal shooting of Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari, killed shortly after he secured the release of journalist Giuliana Sgrena from Iraqi insurgents.
Lozano had been expected to be tried in absentia.
U.S. soldiers opened fire on the vehicle ferrying Calipari and Sgrena as it approached a checkpoint en route to Baghdad International Airport. A U.S. investigation found the vehicle was traveling fast and didn't stop at a checkpoint as ordered, concluding no disciplinary action should be taken.
An Italian investigation found that no clear warning signs were given and inexperience among U.S. soldiers played a role in the shooting. It also said U.S. officials knew about the rescue plan, which the U.S. military denied.
The incident strained U.S.-Italian relations, ultimately prompting then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to pull Italian troops from Iraq.
