US soldier filmed scene after Iraq killing-TV

ROME, May 8 (Reuters) A US soldier on trial in absentia in Italy for killing an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq two years ago filmed the scene moments after he opened fire, an Italian television channel said today.

Mario Lozano's lawyer said the US soldier, who denies any wrongdoing in firing at agent Nicola Calipari's car, gave the video to TG5 channel, apparently after recording an interview with him in the United States. Italian prosecutors investigating the case immediately seized the tape, judicial sources said.

Hazy footage of the video showed a white car with bright headlights stopped at the side of a road with an open door, while voices of US soldiers could be heard in the background.

Lozano went on trial in absentia in Italy last month for firing at the car carrying Calipari and newly freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena to Baghdad airport in March 2005.

The US and Italian governments have said the shooting was an accident, but an Italian judge has charged Lozano with murder and two counts of attempted murder of those in the car.

Lozano says he opened fire at the car after the driver ignored warnings to slow down or stop at a checkpoint. His lawyer said the video proves his side of the story.

But Sgrena said it confirmed her version of the events and showed Lozano's cold-bloodedness.

''Furthermore, the video shows that Lozano, contrary to what he has maintained in recent interviews, was not shocked after the firing, but in fact had the icy coldness to film Calipari's dead body,'' she told ANSA.

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