Police ponder probe into CIA torture claims

POLICE said they are considering a request to probe claims CIA flights refuelling at Edinburgh are carrying Islamic militants to eastern Europe for torture.

According to records from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the Capital's airport has been used 14 times since 2001 as a refuelling stop for "rendition" flights. Run by the CIA, these are suspected of carrying Islamic militants to countries for interrogation, using techniques deemed illegal in the US.

Lothian Green MSPs Mark Ballard and Robin Harper have written to Lothian and Borders Police asking the Chief Constable Paddy Tomkins to investigate their concerns that crimes may have been committed in Scottish airspace.

Under UN conventions and the European Convention on Human Rights torture, including acts which aid torture, is illegal.

A police spokesman said: "The chief constable is considering what action, if any, should be taken as a result of this letter."

Scottish airports, including Glasgow and Prestwick, have been used 170 times in the past four years for refuelling of the CIA flights, and Strathclyde Police have refused to investigate the Glasgow flights as they did not believe there was enough evidence of a criminal act being committed in Scotland.