By Charles Wilson
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — A judge has set a trial date for American-born Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh’s lawsuit asking permission to hold daily group prayers in a highly restricted cell block at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.
U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson scheduled the trial to begin Aug. 27. The site hasn’t been determined.
The 31-year-old Lindh claims the prison’s policy restricting group prayer in the unit where he’s held violates his religious rights. The government contends the restrictions are necessary for security and don’t violate inmates’ rights.
Magnus-Stinson found in February that daily group prayers were part of Lindh’s sincere religious beliefs, but that there were still questions regarding whether the prayer ban is necessary for prison security. She scheduled the trial earlier this month.