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Terror trial set to start in US Key terrorism trial starts in US
(about 2 hours later)
Lawyers in the US state of Florida are preparing to make opening statements at the trial of a US citizen who is charged with supporting terrorism. The trial has begun in Florida of US citizen Jose Padilla and two other men for conspiracy to murder US nationals and aiding Islamic extremists.
Jose Padilla, 36, denies aiding Islamic extremists and conspiracy to murder US nationals overseas. After his arrest in 2002, Mr Padilla was accused of planning to detonate a radioactive bomb and held in a military jail without charge for three years.
He was arrested in 2002, accused of planning to detonate a radioactive bomb on US soil, and held without charge in a military jail for over three years.
That allegation will not be part of the trial in Miami.That allegation will not be part of the trial in Miami.
Prosecutors opened their case saying the three were part of a secret terror support cell based in south Florida.
The defendants' lawyers will deliver their opening statements later on Monday.
'Secretive'
The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Florida says some critics are calling the case "Padilla Lite" because the most serious accusations have been dropped.The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Florida says some critics are calling the case "Padilla Lite" because the most serious accusations have been dropped.
This is a showcase trial that will be publicised all over the world. It doesn't get much bigger than this Lawyer Jeffrey Harris
However, prosecutors say that an application form to attend an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan will prove that Mr Padilla, also known as Abdullah Mujahir, was connected to Islamic extremists.However, prosecutors say that an application form to attend an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan will prove that Mr Padilla, also known as Abdullah Mujahir, was connected to Islamic extremists.
Two other men - Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi, both 45 - are being tried alongside Mr Padilla. All three could face life sentences if found guilty. This is a showcase trial that will be publicised all over the world. It doesn't get much bigger than this Lawyer Jeffrey Harris
'Showcase trial' The two other men being tried alongside Mr Padilla are Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi, both 45. All three could face life sentences if found guilty.
"This is a showcase trial that will be publicised all over the world. It doesn't get much bigger than this," said Jeffrey Harris, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Assistant US attorney Brian Frazier, prosecuting, told jurors: "Jose Padilla was an al-Qaeda terrorist trainee providing the ultimate form of material support - himself.
"Padilla was serious, he was focused, he was secretive. Padilla had cut himself off from most things in his life that did not concern his radical view of the Islamic religion."
Lawyers for Mr Padilla are expected to question the authenticity of the al-Qaeda application form.
Mr Padilla, a former Chicago gang member of Puerto Rican descent, is a convert to Islam.Mr Padilla, a former Chicago gang member of Puerto Rican descent, is a convert to Islam.
The US government, which once branded him an "enemy combatant", says he provided money and recruits to Islamic extremists. He was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport in May 2002 after returning from Pakistan.
It also alleges he travelled overseas to train as a terrorist and aimed to carry out "violent jihad". Mr Padilla was held at a US naval base in South Carolina for more than three years. He says he was tortured. US officials deny that he was abused.
Mr Padilla was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport in May 2002 after returning from Pakistan.
He was held at a US naval base in South Carolina for more than three years. He says he was tortured. US officials deny that he was abused.
Following a long battle between the Bush administration and civil liberties groups, Mr Padilla was transferred to the civilian courts in 2005.Following a long battle between the Bush administration and civil liberties groups, Mr Padilla was transferred to the civilian courts in 2005.
The case is expected to last for months and is being seen as an important test of the Bush administration's war on terror, our correspondent says.The case is expected to last for months and is being seen as an important test of the Bush administration's war on terror, our correspondent says.
Jeffrey Harris, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers, said: "This is a showcase trial that will be publicised all over the world. It doesn't get much bigger than this."