Dr. Aafia’s Lawyer Will Defend her Against Charges

NEW YORK: The Pakistan government is doing all it can at the diplomatic and legal fronts to win freedom for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the neuroscientist whose trial on murder charges takes place next week.

Introducing to the U.S.-based Pakistani correspondents, the three-member “A-class” legal defence team, retained by the Pakistan government, he said that the lawyers would put up a strong defence in a bid to bring to an end Aafia’s difficulties. The legal team comprises Charles Swift, Ms. Linda Moreno and Ms. Elaine Sharp.

These eminent lawyers were cleared by the Manhattan Federal Court on September 2. Ms. Siddiqui, who is charged with shooting at her U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan last July, has vehemently denied attacking any one. She’s not facing terrorism charges.

Following the selection of a jury on Thursday, her trial is set to begin January 19, when opening statements will be made by the prosecution and defence lawyers following which the government will produce its first witnesses.

The whole process is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks.

Haqqani said that the people of Pakistan believe that the charges against Ms. Siddiqui were “not true” and that she was being victimized. They want her released immediately. The top Pakistani diplomat here said that President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza

Gilani and the Pakistan Embassy in Washington had all made efforts for her release and were continuing to do so.

Speaking to correspondents, Swift, the lawyer, said that the charge against Ms. Siddiqui was baseless. Over the last four months, the team had worked hard and gathered as much information as possible to build a strong defence.

He had also visited Ghazni in Afghanistan where the alleged shooting incident had taken place and interviewed witnesses and officials in that city. In fact, he added, judicial hearings should have taken place there.