In Italy, the first criminal trial over the CIA's rendition of terror suspects is due to open.

Twenty-six Americans, most believed to be CIA agents, and six Italians have been accused of kidnapping a terror suspect and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured.

Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr was snatched from a Milan street in February 2003.

Italian prosecutors say Nasr was taken to U.S. bases in Italy and Germany before being taken to the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

At the time of his arrest he was suspected of recruiting fighters for Islamic groups but had not been charged.

He was released by Egypt earlier this year.

The trial may be delayed as Italy's government has asked the Constitutional Court to set aside the rendition trial, saying prosecution documents would break state secrecy laws and damage relations with the CIA.

The country’s highest court is due to rule on the appeal by September. .