Justice Still Not Served in Padilla Case, Charges Amnesty International

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Larry Cox, executive director
of Amnesty International USA, issued the following remarks in response to
today's sentencing of Jose Padilla to 17 years and 4 months for terrorism
conspiracy charges:

"While the Bush administration hailed Jose Padilla's conviction as a victory
in the 'war on terror,' Mr. Padilla was denied his fundamental rights.
Regardless of the verdict, accountability for Mr. Padilla's three and a half
years of detention without charge or trial or allegations of torture and
ill-treatment still has not been addressed.

"Amnesty International believes that there are troubling questions surrounding
the fairness of Mr. Padilla's trial including the presumption of innocence,
the right to a speedy trial and the defendant's effective ability to assist in
his defense.

"The U.S. government and others claim that Mr. Padilla's conviction is proof
that prosecutions for terrorist-related crimes can be successfully pursued in
the ordinary federal courts. While Amnesty International fully supports this
notion in principle, the organization remains unconvinced that justice was
done or seen to be done in this case."

For more information, please visit www.amnestyusa.org.

SOURCE Amnesty International

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