Terrorism
Code Words Disputed at Padilla Trial
Posted Jul 24, 2007, 09:08 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A defense expert at Jose Padilla’s terrorism trial testified yesterday that government translators were wrong about purported terrorist code words.
The government contended “tourism” meant jihad, “eggplants” referred to rocket-propelled grenades, and “football” meant violence. Translator Kamal Yunis disagreed, the Associated Press reports.
He said “tourism” could refer to a religious pilgrimage, “eggplant” to donations for the needy, and football to “being kicked around.”
Padilla and two co-defendants are being tried in Miami on charges of supporting terrorist groups. The prosecution is largely based on thousands of wiretapped conversations.