In Egypt, the CIA extraordinary rendition victim Abu Omar has spoken out for the first time since his release from prison earlier this month. Omar, a Muslim cleric, was kidnapped by CIA operatives in Italy and flown to Egypt, where he says he was tortured. Thirty-one suspects, including 26 Americans, have been ordered to stand trial in Italy for the abduction. On Thursday, Abu Omar said he would return to Italy to testify.

Abu Omar: “What I wish for is to stand in front of the court and explain everything to them and prove to them that I am innocent from any accusations. I am also pointing my word to the Italian people, telling them that I will not give up the Italian people in their disaster, and I will stand and face any disaster they face. I will also stand with all the oppressed in the world, and I hope to work with human rights organizations to fight for the rights of the arrested all around the world.”