US State Department Declines Comment on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s Case

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, is currently serving an 86-year sentence in a US prison on terrorism charges. The US State Department has declined to comment on her case, directing inquiries to the Department of Justice instead .

Interestingly, Dr. Siddiqui’s case has gained significant attention globally, with many jihadi groups and supporters advocating for her release. In fact, her case was recently linked to the Colleyville hostage crisis in Texas, where the perpetrator demanded her release .

Background on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui

Born in Karachi in 1972, Dr. Siddiqui earned her PhD in neuroscience from Brandeis University in 2001. Her life took a dramatic turn after 9/11, when she was accused of ties to extremist organizations ¹.

Recent Developments

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested Dr. Siddiqui’s release on humanitarian grounds in a letter to President Joe Biden. This information came to light after a state lawyer submitted a copy of the letter to the Islamabad High Court.

Controversy Surrounding Her Imprisonment

Dr. Siddiqui’s imprisonment has been marred by controversy, with allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment . Her supporters claim she was unjustly convicted and demand her release. The situation remains complex, with the US State Department refusing to comment and directing inquiries to the Department of Justice. The international community continues to watch this case closely.