U.S. Denies Charges That Padilla Was Tortured

U.S. denies charge that Padilla was tortured

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nat...orld-headlines

Originally published November 14, 2006

MIAMI // Federal prosecutors denied claims by suspected al-Qaida operative Jose Padilla that he was tortured during 3 1/2 years in military custody as an enemy combatant.

In papers filed yesterday in federal court, prosecutors said Padilla provided no evidence to back his claims and urged that the case against him not be dismissed. They insisted he was treated humanely while in a Navy brig in South Carolina.

"Padilla's conditions of confinement were humane and designed to ensure his safety and security," the government said. "His basic needs were met in a conscientious manner."

That included outdoor exercise and medical attention when needed. Prosecutors said Padilla never made any abuse claims while in military custody.

"Padilla's allegations of torture have no merit whatsoever," prosecutors said.

Last month, Padilla's lawyers asked a federal judge to dismiss terrorism support charges against him, based on allegations that he suffered "outrageous government conduct" while in custody. They said Padilla's interrogators threatened to execute him, forced him to wear a hood and stand in stress positions for long periods, that he might have been given LSD or PCP as a "truth serum," and that he was forced to endure extreme heat and cold, bright lights or total darkness, noxious fumes and sleep deprivation.

U.S. authorities initially alleged that Padilla was on an al-Qaida mission to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" in a U.S. city.