JURIST - Paper Chase: Federal judge restricts disclosure of classified information in Padilla case

[JURIST] The Miami federal judge presiding over the trial of terror suspect Jose Padilla [JURIST news archive] Tuesday placed tight restrictions on disclosure of evidence containing classified material. US District Judge Marcia Cooke's order under the Classified Information Procedures Act [text] is primarily intended to prevent the public from gaining access to US national security secrets - including interrogations evidence, FBI investigations and information from foreign governments - but also could prevent disclosure of material to the defense.

Padilla, notorious in the media as the "dirty bomber," was recently denied bail [JURIST report] as a flight risk. He was charged [PDF] in November 2005 with conspiracy to murder US nationals, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and providing material support to terrorists. He was transferred to civilian custody [JURIST report] in January of this year. He previously spent 3 1/2 in military custody as an uncharged "enemy combatant." AP has more.

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