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Padilla 'not fit to stand trial' Padilla 'not fit to stand trial'
(about 9 hours later)
A US citizen suspected of being an al-Qaeda conspirator is mentally unfit to stand trial, a psychiatrist for his defence has said.A US citizen suspected of being an al-Qaeda conspirator is mentally unfit to stand trial, a psychiatrist for his defence has said.
Speaking at a hearing to determine Jose Padilla's competence, Angela Hegarty said he lacked the capacity to assist his counsel in the case.Speaking at a hearing to determine Jose Padilla's competence, Angela Hegarty said he lacked the capacity to assist his counsel in the case.
He is due to be tried in April along with two co-defendants.He is due to be tried in April along with two co-defendants.
Mr Padilla faces life in jail if convicted of plotting to murder, kidnap and maim persons in a foreign country.Mr Padilla faces life in jail if convicted of plotting to murder, kidnap and maim persons in a foreign country.
Other charges against him allege he was part of a North American terror cell that provided support to radical Islamists around the world.Other charges against him allege he was part of a North American terror cell that provided support to radical Islamists around the world.
Dr Hegarty said after a 22-hour examination of the suspect that Mr Padilla had suffered from intense stress and anxiety following three-and-a-half years in custody as an "enemy combatant".Dr Hegarty said after a 22-hour examination of the suspect that Mr Padilla had suffered from intense stress and anxiety following three-and-a-half years in custody as an "enemy combatant".
Mr Padilla claims he was tortured while being held on a brig at Charleston, South Carolina, a charge that officials deny.Mr Padilla claims he was tortured while being held on a brig at Charleston, South Carolina, a charge that officials deny.
The psychiatrist said he suffered from a facial tic, problems with social contact, lack of concentration and a form of Stockholm Syndrome, by which people in captivity sympathise with their captors. The psychiatrist said Mr Padilla suffered from a facial tic, problems with social contact, lack of concentration and a form of Stockholm Syndrome, by which people in captivity sympathise with their captors.
His trial is scheduled to begin on 16 April with co-defendants Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi.His trial is scheduled to begin on 16 April with co-defendants Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi.
The co-defendants also face charges of providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to do so.The co-defendants also face charges of providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to do so.