PRESS RELEASE: Aafia Siddiqui claims she was held by the US in Bagram for years
PRESS RELEASE
Aafia Siddiqui claims she was held by the US in Bagram for years
Cageprisoners has received new information that Aafia Siddiqui was held for years in Bagram Airbase. According to her lawyer, Elaine Whitfield Sharp,
“We do know she was at Bagram for a long time. It was a long time. According to my client she was there for years and she was held in American custody; her treatment was horrendous.”
Siddiqui’s claim is contrary to the heavily contested position of the US administration that she was detained in July by Afghan forces while attempting to bomb the compound of the governor of Ghazni. The US has previously denied the presence of female detainees in Bagram and that Aafia was ever held there, bar for medical treatment in July 2008.
Sharp also commented about Siddiqui’s current condition and in particular the gunshot wound she has received. Not having been given proper medical treatment for the wound, there is a real concern that it will become infected as it is believed to be septic. She is extremely weak and had to be wheeled into her legal visit.
Legal visits have also become a problem for Sharp and her client. They were only allowed to meet with Siddiqui in a cell behind glass with bars and their only method of communication was through the slot in the door used for food. Sharp was forced to bend over for the several hours of their meeting in order to listen and speak through the food slot. This resulted in extreme difficult for lawyer and client as they attempted to speak to one another. Sharp further commented,
“In that open situation, we were forced to keep our voices low as we were aware that we were video and tape recorded. The whole situation made it impossible for me to meet properly with my client.”
Of great concern to Cageprisoners is the detention of Ahmed, the twelve-year-old son of Siddiqui who is still being detained in Afghanistan, alone and away from his mother, despite his status as a US citizen. It is imperative that the US place him in the custody of his relatives.
cageprisoners
August 7th, 2008 | Category: Angel/Attorney, Children, Detainee Abuse, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Female Detainee, Ghost, Grey Lady of Bagram, Lies and War Crimes of the US Government, Sexual Abuse, Torture
| 
Print This Post
| Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL
August 7th, 2008 at 5:07 am
I am utterly appalled at what the US has done to this woman. I am ashamed to be an American. Please let us know how we can help to win her release and secure medical treatment.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
this clearly shows how prejudiced US Government is against Muslims. They really have demolished the fabric of humanity and made innocent Americans target of revenge
August 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hajja and Sandra , we as Muslims know that Americans r not r enemies its jus these politicians who r bringing us to the brink of WAR they want destroy the Humanity from tis world all they want is to use the Atom bombs the arms and ammunitions they have made, they want to scare r children from living independently. We have to put r foot down and instead of hating each other shud come close and fight against the Humanity enemies.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I am saddened that this woman was so obviously abused and is still suffering.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:54 am
this is really sad and really criminal from americans. such stupid charges they have made on her and denying now that she was kept for 5 years in thier custody. its time for americans to make a correct decision and do right thing to save this innocent woman. think not her as muslim if you have some doubts think her as a woman who is human. no man on earth can resist such horrible treatment for one day and she most innocent woman was forcibly thrown into the trap of men who have no mercy for human as they are “soldiers”.
God bless her and get her out of misery. amen