Harsh interrogation threatens Padilla case

MIAMI, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A terror conspiracy case in Miami could decide whether intelligence obtained during harsh interrogation sessions is admissible in U.S. courts.

The case involves Jose Padilla who was arrested in 2002 by federal agents in Chicago on grounds he was plotting to build and detonate a dirty bomb in the United States.

The information that led to Padilla's arrest came from Zayn Abu Zubaydah, identified by President Bush as the first al-Qaida suspect subjected to harsh interrogation, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

In a series of pretrial motions, lawyers for Padilla argued information from Zubaydah and other confidential sources was obtained by torture and therefore cannot be used in court.

They also contend any evidence seized from Padilla during his Chicago arrest must be excluded from use at trial.

Both motions are currently on appeal to U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke, the trial judge in the Padilla case.