MILAN (Reuters) - An Italian judge could decide on Wednesday to make Silvio Berlusconi the first head of a government to testify in criminal proceedings over secret CIA transfers of terrorism suspects.

Judge Oscar Magi is expected to announce his decision on whether to call Berlusconi and other politicians when he resumes a trial at 4 a.m. EDT against 26 Americans and seven Italians accused of carrying out a transfer or "rendition" in 2003.

Prosecutors say a CIA-led team kidnapped a Muslim cleric off the streets of Milan and secretly flew him to Egypt.

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There, the terrorism suspect, Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, says he was tortured under questioning and held for years without charge before being released in 2007.

"I was tortured for 14 and a half months ... I suffer now from heart and kidney problems. I have psychological problems. My family is scattered," Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, told Reuters at his apartment in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

Berlusconi, who began his third term as premier last week, was prime minister when Nasr disappeared and has defended the Italian spy agency against accusations of wrongdoing.

A strong ally of U.S. President George W. Bush, Berlusconi denied knowledge of any kidnapping plan. He has also opposed the trial, arguing it could hurt Italy's reputation in the global intelligence community.

"This is a trial that shouldn't happen," Berlusconi said in 2007, when the agents were indicted.

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