Q&A: Abu Omar rendition

Muslim cleric Abu Omar was born in Egypt and was granted asylum in Italy

An Egyptian cleric abducted in Italy as part of the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" programme has been sentenced in absentia to six years in prison on terrorism charges by a court in Milan.

In 2003, Abu Omar was seized while walking down a street in Milan and secretly flown to Egypt for interrogation. He alleges he was tortured in Egypt before being released. Italy convicted 23 Americans over his abduction.

Who is Abu Omar and what happened to him?

Why was he taken?

Why is it called extraordinary rendition?

Why is the programme so controversial?

Has anyone been held to account for this?

European countries have been accused of allowing CIA rendition flights to use their airports

What about the Italian authorities?

Is this still happening?