MILAN: A former CIA base chief has asked Italy's president for a pardon for his conviction of kidnapping a terror suspect as part of the CIA's extraordinary rendition program.

Robert Seldon Lady, 59, was sentenced in absentia to nine years for the 2003 kidnapping, and was briefly held this summer in Panama on an international arrest warrant issued by Italy. Seldon Lady received the toughest sentence and is the only one of the 26 CIA and US government employees convicted in the kidnapping who qualifies for extradition under Italian law.

President Giorgio Napolitano's office confirmed Thursday the receipt of a letter a day earlier from Seldon Lady. It declined to reveal the contents.

Napolitano previously pardoned a US Air Force colonel convicted in the case, saying it was unprecedented to try a US military officer for acts committed in Italy.

In a copy of Seldon Lady's letter obtained by Corriere della Sera and posted on its website, Seldon Lady said he "never intended to disrespect Italy's sovereignty — quite to the contrary" and apologized "for the strain this policy and case has caused in the bilateral relations of Italy and America."

Seldon Lady said he had been advised that his actions were in accordance with US, Italian and international law and were "vetted by very high officials." He also cited the precedent of Italy's having pardoned Col. Joseph Romano.