Germans to Prosecute Uzbek Minister

(Berlin, Germany) At the urging of New York-based Human Rights Watch, a lawsuit is being prepared by German prosecutors against Uzbek Interior Minister Zokirjon Almatov for allegedly ordering troops to shoot at protesters in the town of Andijan, Uzbekistan, last May. Human rights groups say more than 700 demonstrators were killed. If Almatov is in Germany when the case is formalized, he could be arrested.

The lawsuit is possible since German courts claim global jurisdiction for prosecution of cases of torture and crimes against humanity.

Isn't this just ducky? With President Bush and Senator McCain agreeing that the definition of torture is subjective and met by virtually any prisoner complaint, it would appear that all American servicemen in Germany are at risk of being arrested. It would also seem prudent for all senior government and military officials to steer clear of Germany to avoid being arrested on a crimes against humanity charge.

Maybe I'm being somewhat cynical, but history has shown that it's best not to trust European leftists.