SNP calls for rendition evidence
The CIA is accused of secretly flying terror suspects between countries for torture
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Sunday, 10, Jun 2007 08:37
The Scottish National party (SNP) is calling on civil liberties groups to submit evidence demonstrating that the process known as extraordinary rendition took place on Scottish soil.
Scottish justice minister Kenny MacAskill issued the appeal following allegations that secret CIA flights carrying terror suspects abroad to be tortured stopped for refuelling at Glasgow and Prestwick airports.
Campaigners against the process, which the US admits it carries out, are being asked to provide evidence backing their claims because, under Scottish law, attempts to commit or conspiracy to commit torture are criminal offences.
Scottish Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said: "I take allegations regarding offences of attempting or conspiring to commit torture being committed in Scotland or Scottish airspace seriously.
"If any individual or organisation has evidence, including new evidence, of criminal offences being committed within Scottish jurisdiction, I would encourage them to make it available."
The SNP's calls have been interpreted by commentators as provocative to the national government, which denies its alleged participation in extraordinary rendition flights for torture purposes.
Yesterday an 18-month police investigation concluded there is "no evidence" that US intelligence agencies used UK airports for extraordinary rendition purposes.
The report was condemned by civil liberties group Liberty, which accused leading police officers of "spin" and insisted their accusations had been based on "credible investigations".