MILAN, Italy, April 7 (UPI) -- A Muslim imam allegedly taken to Egypt under the CIA's extraordinary rendition program has asked to be returned to Italy, where his wife and children live.
Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, more usually known as Abu Omar, was under investigation in Milan when he vanished in 2003. He was allegedly hustled into a van as he walked to a mosque, transported to a U.S. base in Italy and then flown to Cairo.
Abu Omar's lawyer in Egypt, Montasser el Zayat, told the Italian news agency ANSA his client says he is a citizen of Italy and wants the government's help.
Abu Omar says he was tortured in Egypt before his release to house arrest in 2004. He was taken into custody again three months ago.
"He's OK, despite insufficient food, and there are no signs of torture," Zayat said.
Zayat said Abu Omar's wife is able to telephone him but he is kept totally indoors.
