US Marine investigated over death of Italian rescuer

A US Marine is under investigation for his alleged role in the killing last March of an Italian secret service agent in Baghdad.

Rome prosecutors are investigating the death of Nicola Calipari, killed by US fire near a checkpoint as he headed to Baghdad airport after securing the release of an Italian journalist who had been held hostage. Franco Ionta, a prosecutor, confirmed reports of the investigation by the Ansa and Apcom news agencies, but refused to discuss details. Prosecutors are considering charging the soldier with murder. He is believed to have been the only one to fire at the car in which Mr Calipari was travelling.

According to Apcom, the prosecutors are also alleging attempted murder with respect to the other people in the car, the freed hostage, Giuliana Sgrena, and another secret service agent who was at the wheel. Both were wounded.

Mr Calipari's killing strained relations between Rome and Washington.

The countries conducted a joint investigation, but differed over aspects of the shooting and issued separate conclusions. The US report cleared the soldiers of blame, and insisted that the car, a rented Toyota Corolla, was going fast enough to cause alarm.

The Italian report blamed US military authorities for failing to signal that there was a military checkpoint on the road, and contended that stress, inexperience and fatigue played a role in the shooting. The Italians have also consistently said the vehicle was travelling slowly on the dark, rain-slicked road.