Aafia’s new lawyers are confident she is innocent

NEW YORK – The new team of lawyers defending Aafia Siddiqui, who faces trial for the attempted murder of U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan last year, says it is confident that the Pakistani neuroscientist had harmed no one and was innocent of the charges leveled against her.

“We thank the court for granting our entry into this case,” they said in a joint statement after US judge Richard Berman ruled that the lawyers, financed by Pakistan, can join Ms. Siddiqui’s defence panel.

The ruling in the Manhattan District Court hearing came over the loud objections of Ms. Siddiqui, who was recently ruled fit to stand trial after a special hearing was held to determine if she was delusional.

The eminent lawyers, retained by the government of Pakistan, are: Ms. Linda Moreno, Ms. Elaine Sharp and Charles Swift.

Ms. Moreno, reading the statement on behalf of her colleagues said, “We look forward to
representing Dr. Siddiqui in her struggle for justice and restoring her home to Pakistan where she belongs.

“We ask those who report this case and those fair Americans who will eventually sit in judgement of her, to remember that this a criminal case, and that Dr. Siddiqui begins her journey as an innocent person under the laws of our country.

“We are confident that the evidence in this case will show that Dr. Siddiqui harmed no one. To the contrary this 90 pound mother of 3 was shot and wounded herself, the alleged circumstances of which are not are not supported by evidence. It is also important to note that Dr. Siddiqui is not charged with any crimes of terrorism!”Especially during these defining times in our country’s history, we must be faithful in our commitment to those noble principles and due process, which sets us apart from others, where rumour and speculation substitute for evidence beyond all reasonable doubt. Dr. Siddiuqi harmed no one. She is innocent of these charges.”

Dr. Siddiqui’s trial is set for Nov. 2.

SOURCE: Draafia.org