New York judge rejects Aafia Siddiqui’s plea

Published October 10, 2014
.— AP file photo
.— AP file photo

NEW YORK: A federal judge in New York has rejected a bid by Aafia Siddiqui to have her conviction for shooting at American soldiers overturned.

Judge Richard Berman issued the ruling on Thursday. Aafia Siddiqui had said in court papers that her 2010 conviction should be thrown out because she was forced to use lawyers paid for by the government of Pakistan.

A scientist trained in United States, Ms Siddiqui became a terrorism suspect after she left the US and married a nephew of self-proclaimed 9/11 attacks mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Know more: Conviction unfair, pleads Aafia Siddiqui

She was reportedly wounded during a confrontation with US authorities in Afghanistan in 2008. Witnesses say she shot at the Americans.

She’s serving 86 years behind bars.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2014

Opinion

The risk of escalation

The risk of escalation

The silence of the US and some other Western countries over the raid on the Iranian consulate has only provided impunity to the Zionist state.

Editorial

Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...
Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...