FBI: Padilla never used jihad code words in calls [View All]

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/NEWS01/706200328/1002/NEWS01

MIAMI — Jose Padilla was never overheard using purported code words for violent jihad in intercepted telephone conversations and spoke often about his difficulties learning Arabic while studying in Egypt, the lead FBI agent in the case testified Tuesday.

A defense attorney questioned FBI Agent James T. Kavanaugh about seven intercepted telephone calls on which Padilla's voice is heard mostly talking about his marriage and his studies but never about Islamic extremism.

Padilla left Broward County, Fla., in September 1998 for Egypt to begin what prosecutors say was a journey to fight in Islamic holy war. His alleged jihad recruiter was Adham Amin Hassoun, a former computer programmer who is on trial with Padilla and Kifah Wael Jayyousi on charges of supporting terrorist groups around the world.

Padilla, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen and Muslim convert, was added to the terrorism support case after 3-1/2 years in military custody as an enemy combatant. He was arrested in 2002 on suspicion of plotting with al-Qaida to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" inside the U.S., but those allegations are not part of the Miami trial.