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Jose Padilla Evidence Revealed...and Disputed

"Dirty Bomb" Suspect and Bush administration-labeled "enemy combatant" Jose Padilla is now talking, according to recently unclassified military documents. The documents say Padilla admitted training at an al-Qaeda camp and having dealings with al-Qaeda members:

Additionally, the Defense Department summary of Padilla's activities claim Padilla admitted that he was "first tasked with an operation to blow up apartment buildings in the United States with natural gas by [Mohammed] Atef," alleged to be Osama bin Laden's second in command.

Under pressure to explain its indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen as an "enemy combatant," the Justice Department outlined Padilla's alleged al Qaeda training in Afghanistan and contacts with the most senior members of the terrorist network, his travel back into the United States and preparations to rent apartments and set off explosives.

So why didn't the Government charge Padilla with a crime instead of holding him in a military brig without access to counsel for more than two years? Here's what Padilla's lawyer has to say:

Donna Newman, Padilla's defense attorney, called the information "a one-sided exposé of their version of the events without Mr. Padilla having the right to put forth his version of the events." "As they concede, he denies all this," she said, referring to a footnote on page six of the seven-page document.

The U.S. government footnote says: "There are a number of instances in his statements where Padilla attempts to downplay or deny his commitment to al Qaeda." "There is a dispute. That's what the courts resolve," Newman said. "If Mr. Padilla is as dangerous as they say, why not have a trial?"

Update: Arthur at Light of Reason comments.

Update: The transcript of the Justice Department's press conference is here.

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