STATEMENT OF TASIA SCOLINOS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, IN RESPONSE TO THE FOURTH CIRCUIT’S ORDER REGARDING TRANSFER OF JOSE PADILLA INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM:

The following press release was published by the US Department of Justice on Dec. 21, 2005. It is reproduced in full below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 WWW.USDOJ.GOV OPA (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 "We are disappointed that the court has denied the unopposed motion to transfer Jose Padilla to the criminal justice system to face the terrorism charges currently pending against him. The President's authority to detain enemy combatants, which the Fourth Circuit has upheld, should not be viewed as an obstacle to an exercise of the government's undoubted authority to prosecute federal crimes, including those related to terrorism. The Department is in the process of reviewing the court's order and will continue to consider all options with respect to pursuing the criminal charges as expeditiously as possible.” 05-690

Source: US Department of Justice