New York judge rejects Aafia Siddiqui’s plea

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

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

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Amin

Oct 10, 2014 07:06am

Shame on the PML N Government for having backtracked on it's commitment for Afia's release during the election campaign

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niman

Oct 10, 2014 07:31am

She actually shot 2 soldiers and an FBI agent. She was fully radicalized by that time.

Recommend 0

Oct 10, 2014 07:55am

Wow is that news? That was a forgone conclusion

Recommend 0

Ali Shahid

Oct 10, 2014 08:37am

@Amin As if its entirely under their control

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roger_davis

Oct 10, 2014 09:29am

So sad.

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fida sayani, USA.

Oct 10, 2014 12:55pm

A daughter and citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is brutally abused and punished and the nation is criminally silent. Is this nation brain dead???

Recommend 0

Kaleem Ullah

Oct 10, 2014 01:04pm

@Amin Suppose we make you PM of Pakistan, What you can do to get her released. Please reveal your action plan upon us.

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noname

Oct 11, 2014 06:26am

@niman And you say this because you saw her do it right?

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AliPasha(USA)

Oct 11, 2014 10:21am

@fida sayani, USA. There are at least a million Muslim females in the USA and no one has been convicted of terrorism charges .She is not innocent under any circumstances. You reap what you sow.

Recommend 0

razia

Oct 11, 2014 10:37am

@Amin The shame is on Kursheed tycoon that has sent her to USA when he was foreign minister under the Musharaf Gov. Now he is on the container claiming to bring a Naya Pakistan . All a bunch of Jokers at the end of the day playing with our lives for their Greed for Power.

Recommend 0

Atis

Oct 11, 2014 11:16am

See the same which had produced aafia earlier has also produced Malala afterwards!

Recommend 0

MUHAMMAD RAMZAN

Oct 11, 2014 11:36am

What about Raymond Davies who shot two civilians day light in Lahore. Pakistani government let him free. Do answer if you want. Good day.

Recommend 0

Justice

Oct 11, 2014 11:40am

She should learn something from Malala

Recommend 0

vinie

Oct 11, 2014 12:03pm

If she really involve in terorist activities than she deserve punishment and if she is innocence than the u.s.a must realese her.

Recommend 0

neutral

Oct 11, 2014 12:05pm

Other side of the coin and double standards of the West.

Recommend 0

Amina Jahanzeb

Oct 11, 2014 12:08pm

Who says that only poor and uneducated are the terrorists. Her father is a neurologist. Her sister, Fowzia, is a Harvard-trained neurologist. The 911 hijackers were from wealthy arab families.

Recommend 0

Mustafa

Oct 11, 2014 12:29pm

@niman that's right.she is in the right place

Recommend 0

Muhammad

Oct 11, 2014 01:20pm

@niman "Radicalized" after being kidnapped, drugged, tortured and raped. She was defending her own life and honor. Let's see how well you hold on to your hypocritical ideals of non-violence under these conditions.

Recommend 0

John

Oct 11, 2014 01:49pm

"she was forced to use lawyers paid for by the government of Pakistan." Did Govt. of Pakistan provide representation through biased or incompetent lawyers? If yes, that would not be the first time.

Recommend 0

Khurshid khan

Oct 11, 2014 01:49pm

@niman - She was abducted by CIA for 5 years, her younger son still missing and presumed dead. She had every legal/human right to free herself from illegal detention by criminals.

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Justice for all

Oct 11, 2014 01:54pm

Human rights are intact.

Recommend 0

hattori

Oct 11, 2014 01:55pm

So she shot usa soldiers and she got 86 years and no mercy...while raymond davis actually killed some pakistanis and he goes free...

Recommend 0

Harmony

Oct 11, 2014 02:59pm

@Ali Shahid - True not in "their control" but why lie and make false promises?

Recommend 0

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