Cageprisoners rejects the ‘Sham’ story by US attempts to cover-up Aafia Siddiqui’s unlawful detention
Cageprisoners rejects the ‘sham’ story that is being fed by the US administration regarding the circumstances and details of Aafia Siddiqui’s detention.
On Monday 4th August 2008, federal prosecutors in the US confirmed that Aafia Siddiqui was extradited to the US from Afghanistan where they allege she had been detained since mid-July 2008. The US administration claims that she was arrested by Afghani forces outside Ghazni governor’s compound with manuals on explosives and ‘dangerous substances in sealed jars’ on her person. They further allege that whilst in custody she shot at US officers and was injured in the process.
Aafia Siddiqui disappeared in Karachi along with her three children in March 2003. For five years she was believed to be held in secret US or Pakistani custody until 3rd August 2008 when US officials admitted she was detained in Afghanistan.
A press conference led by Cageprisoners Patron, Yvonne Ridley, and Director, Saghir Hussain, on 7th July 2008 in Pakistan resulted in mass international coverage of Aafia’s case as her disappearance was questioned by the media and political figures in Pakistan. Ten days after the storm created over her detention, the US claimed she was detained by Afghan forces as recently as July 17th.
Asim Qureshi, Senior Researcher for Cageprisoners said,
The treatment of Aafia in Afghanistan at the hands of the US and Afghanis is something that must be disputed, especially in relation to the ludicrous and conflicting reports regarding her shooting. There are disturbing parallels between Aafia’s extradition and the case of Ahmad Abu Ali, a US citizen who was tortured in a Saudi prison; when a US judge ruled in favour of Abu Ali’s family he was suddenly extradited and produced before the courts, on a sensational charge of plotting to assassinate President Bush.
There are too many holes in the incongruous US version of events to ignore in relation to Aafia’s detention and supposed arrest. Her family have been subjected to threats and intimidation by the Intelligence agencies for the past five years for raising the profile of the case. More importantly, where are her two younger children and why has not her teenage son who was arrested with her in Ghazni been extradited to the US along with her?
Cageprisoners calls for Aafia Siddiqui to be given immediate and full legal access now that she has returned to the US and for her children to be immediately returned to Aafia’s family in Pakistan. Further the administration must cease to feed false reports and sensational stories to the media which may be prejudicial to any trial she may face.
Cageprisoners is a human rights organisation that exists to raise awareness of the plight of the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other detainees held as part of the War on Terror. We aim to give a voice to the voiceless.
Media
Contact: Asim Qureshi
Email: asim.q@cageprisoners.com
Number: 0044 (0) 7973264197
August 6th, 2008 | Category: Children, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Female Detainee
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