Fergie's Tech Blog

Padilla Was Drugged, Threatened by Authorities, His Lawyers Say

This is a bit off-topic for the blog, but if Uncle Sam can do this to one American Citizen, it can now do it to any American Citizen. Even you.

Jeff Bliss and Jeff St. Onge write for Bloomberg News:

Lawyers for accused terrorism supporter Jose Padilla say U.S. authorities drugged him with LSD or PCP, filled his cell with "noxious fumes" and threatened to slash him with a knife while he was being held without charges.

In court papers seeking dismissal of charges against Padilla, his lawyers said the abuse occurred after President George W. Bush declared him an "enemy combatant" following his arrest in 2002. The designation allowed Padilla, a U.S. citizen, to be held without being charged with a crime for three years and five months.

"The torture took myriad forms, each designed to cause pain, anguish, depression and, ultimately, the loss of will to live," according to the court document filed Oct. 4 in federal court in Miami.

A call and e-mail seeking comment from the U.S. Justice Department weren't immediately returned.

posted by Fergie @ 10/19/2006 12:53:00 PM