Dr Fauzia blames past, present govts for complicity in sister Aafia's incarceration

Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, the elder sister of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, criticized both the past and present governments of Pakistan for their involvement in her sister's prolonged imprisonment in the United States. Dr. Fauzia made these remarks to journalists at the Karachi airport upon her return from visiting her sister in the US.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, was indicted by a New York federal district court in September 2008 on charges of attempted murder and assault related to an incident during an interview with US authorities in Ghazni, Afghanistan. Despite denying these charges, she was convicted in early 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison. She has been imprisoned in the US ever since.

During her recent visit, Dr. Fauzia observed that her sister appeared weaker and mentioned that Dr. Aafia had reported being subjected to head shocks and being given a Bible to read. The sisters communicated through a glass barrier, which led to a distressing meeting filled with screaming due to the physical separation. Dr. Fauzia noted that logistical issues hampered their communication, as the phone initially did not work properly.

Dr. Fauzia also mentioned that their lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, had been conducting research on Dr. Aafia's case in Afghanistan and discovered the family that had hosted her sister.

Clive Stafford Smith recently revealed to Geo News that Dr. Aafia continues to face sexual harassment in the Fort Worth, Texas jail. He reported that a security guard raped her two weeks ago as a form of punishment and that the sexual abuse has been ongoing. Stafford Smith communicated with Dr. Aafia through a glass wall and faced issues with a malfunctioning phone, which jail authorities eventually replaced.

Dr. Fauzia's statements and the lawyer's revelations underscore the ongoing struggles and alleged mistreatment Dr. Aafia Siddiqui faces in US detention.