The leaders of the European Parliament agreed on Thursday to set up a temporary committee to investigate allegations of the transport and illegal detention of prisoners by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in European countries.

This decision still has to be endorsed by the full Parliament and the vote will take place on next Wednesday in Strasbourg.

The temporary committee will try to find out whether the CIA or intelligence services of other third countries have carried out abductions or torture on European Union (EU) territory or in acceding or candidate countries.

The committee will also investigate whether EU citizens have been detained or whether EU member states or institutions have been involved in the illegal deprivation of the liberty of individuals, according to a press release of the European Parliament.

It also states that the committee should submit an interim report within four months after it starts work.

Source: Xinhua