Mental Exam Ordered for Terror Suspect

MIAMI -- A federal judge ordered a mental exam Monday to determine whether Jose Padilla _ charged with being part of a support cell for Islamic extremists around the world _ is competent for trial.

A psychiatrist and a psychologist hired by Padilla's attorneys concluded he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental problems stemming largely from his 3 1/2 years in solitary confinement at a Navy brig in Charleston, S.C.

Prosecutors agreed a court-ordered evaluation was necessary.

Padilla, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen accused of being an al-Qaida operative, claims he was tortured in Defense Department custody, a charge repeatedly denied by prosecutors and Pentagon officials. Padilla's lawyers have asked the judge to dismiss the charges against him because of "outrageous government conduct" during his time in the brig.

Padilla and co-defendants Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and material support charges. The most serious charge carries up to 15 years in prison.

Padilla was added to the case late last year amid a legal battle over President Bush's authority to hold him without charge as an enemy combatant. Padilla was originally arrested in 2002 on suspicion of plotting a radioactive "dirty bomb" attack inside the U.S., but the Miami charges do not mention that.

Trial is set for Jan. 22.