By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2005; Page A14
Saudi officials tortured an American student charged with conspiring to kill President Bush "at the direct behest" of the FBI, whose agents did nothing to stop the abuse, attorneys for Ahmed Omar Abu Ali said in court papers.
~snip~
The lawyers said Abu Ali was beaten, whipped and subjected to "the most sadistic forms of psychological torture."
Defense attorneys have long argued that Abu Ali, 24, of Falls Church was tortured while in Saudi custody before being flown back to the United States to face terrorism charges in February. The government says Abu Ali confessed to the assassination plot against Bush and admitted discussing with members of al Qaeda his plans to conduct a Sept. 11-style terrorist attack in the United States.
Federal prosecutors have denied that Abu Ali was tortured. A Justice Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said yesterday: "The suggestion that the government tacitly encouraged torture of Abu Ali is completely without merit."
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/10/AR2005051001463.html