Protests Grow in Pakistan for US Convicted Dr Aafia Siddiqui

Thousands of protestors march on behalf of Aafia Siddiqui in Pakistan. Photo via AFPUpdated September 24, 2010: Limited protests are happening today in Pakistan after the US sentenced Dr Siddiqui to 86 years in prison.

Original post Feb. 4, 2010:

Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari directed his government to immediately establish contact with the family of Doctor Aafia Siddiqui, a MIT-trained scientist found guilty by a US jury, of grabbing a rifle, with the purpose of trying to gun down US servicemen, while under interrogation in Afghanistan in 2008.

Siddiqui was convicted in Manhattan’s federal court and  is facing life in prison when sentenced on May 6. The Pakistani mother of three vanished In Pakistan in 2003 for a period of five years, when she was found in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

While in custody, on July 18, 2008, prosecutors allege that Ms. Siddiqui grabbed an M4 rifle from a police station floor and fired on Army officers and F.B.I. agents. She was shot in the abdomen. Siddiqui denies that the rifle was ever in her hands. Her lawyers cite an absence of confirming evidence of bullets, casings or residue from the M4. Two bullet holes in the wall were there previously, based on video evidence.

According to the NYTimes, the defendent was arrested on July 17, 2008.  In her purse were instructions on making explosives and a list of New York landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.

Al Jazeera reports that thousands of Pakistanis have staged rallies in her support. We’re not familliar with her case but will investigate. Photo from AFP, original source of story.

More reading: Aafia Siddiqui Guilty of Shooting at Americans in Afghanistan New York Times