US court rules against US govt in Padilla case

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21273048.htm

US court rules against US govt in Padilla case

WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - In a stinging rebuke to the Bush administration, a U.S. appeals court refused on Wednesday to transfer Jose Padilla from U.S. military custody to federal authorities in Florida until the Supreme Court considers his case.

The high court said bringing criminal charges against Padilla in Florida after he had been held by the U.S. military for more than three years as an enemy combatant created the appearance that the government may be attempting to avoid Supreme Court review of the case.

Padilla, an American citizen, was charged last month with being part of a support cell providing money and recruits for militants overseas. The Justice Department accused Padilla after his arrest in May 2002 of plotting to set off a radioactive "dirty bomb."