Posted on 08/24/2007 9:41:28 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Padilla sues US officials over confinement Despite his conviction on terror conspiracy charges, his lawyers say he suffered 'psychological abuse' during military detention. By Warren Richey | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Convicted Al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla is seeking to hold former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and 59 other US officials responsible for what his lawyers say were abusive and unconstitutional tactics used against Mr. Padilla while he was held in military custody as an enemy combatant from 2002 to 2006.
Lawyers working on Padilla's behalf filed the civil lawsuit earlier this year in federal court in South Carolina. It was publicly disclosed by the lawyers this week.
"Mr. Padilla suffered gross physical and psychological abuse at the hands of federal officials as part of a scheme of abusive interrogation intended to break down Mr. Padilla's humanity and his will to live," the 30-page complaint says.
"The grave violations suffered by Padilla were not isolated occurrences by rogue lower-level officials," the suit says. Besides Mr. Rumsfeld, it names Defense Secretary Robert Gates, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, and former Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lowell Jacoby, among others, who "personally ordered and/or approved Mr. Padilla's detention and interrogation program."
Last week, Padilla was found guilty by a Miami jury of conspiring with Al Qaeda to engage in violent jihad. Federal prosecutors said he attended a training camp in Afghanistan. He faces a potential life sentence in prison.
Some analysts have pointed to Padilla's conviction as vindication of the Bush administration's alleged harsh treatment of him at the US Naval Consolidated Brig in Charleston, S.C.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
A lawyer looking for money, plus, Padilla frustrated because his 15 minutes have expired and he’s in prison for the rest of his miserable life. He is just lucky we no longer have the strength of will, and survival instinct, to hang traitors.
He’s absolutely right. We should have offered him cold milk and cinnamon graham crackers while we politely asked him questions regarding Al Qaeda. What an evil government we have!
The chicken ala orange was cold and the cable TV went out a couple days during his detention. Damn that Rumsfeld!
But seriesly... I wonder what would happen if he and his group held an American combatant. I am sure they would have treated the prisoner with the upmost respect and dignity. Not.
It is way past time we adopt a loser pays plan when it comes to civil suits. There would be far less of these frivolous actions.
Thanks, Jose, we’ll get right on it. Now where was that round file holder I had? Under my desk I think.
Just leave him in his cell with his belt on.
That sketch of him is an excellent portrait of John Doe #2.
>> It is way past time we adopt a loser pays plan when it comes to civil suits. There would be far less of these frivolous actions.
Absolutely. And if the “loser” plaintiff doesn’t have the dough to pay, it comes out of the “loser” lawyer’s hide!
This is why Gitmo should never close.
He was convicted of trying to kill thousands of Americans. Why is he still breathing?
Don't forget the lemon chicken, candied carrots, green beans almonds and the comfy chair abuse.
But Rumsfeld wasn't the real culprit. The real culprit was Karl Rove, who was taking a time out from operating his weather control machine. He was behind this whole thing!
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