Jose Padilla

José Padilla was an American citizen and former terrorism suspect who was detained by U.S. authorities after September 11, 2001. He was accused of planning an attack and was held for several years without formal charges, sparking debates over civil liberties. In 2008, he was convicted of providing material support to terrorists and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Padilla’s case raised important questions about the balance between national security and individual rights, especially regarding indefinite detention and the use of military tribunals. He passed away in 2023 at age 63.