Aafia Siddiqui convicted, may be sentenced for 60 years

Aafia Siddiqui, called ‘Laday Al-Qaeda’ by American media, has finally been convicted for attempted murder of Americans and may be sentenced for up to 60 years. Ironically, she was not charged for terrorism.

In 2003, Dr. Aafia, along with her 3 children, went missing in Karachi. In 2008, British journalist Yvonne Ridley hinted about presence of Aafia Siddiqui at United States run Bagram Airbase detention facility in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office of Pakistan, as usual, denied knowledge of the alleged detention of a Pakistani woman at Bagram Airbase and said that the allegation would be looked into.

However, public protests vibrated across the world against inhuman treatment of Dr. Aafia, which caused US administration to declare her detention. In a lame statement from US Department of Justice (DOJ), it was stated that in July 2008 Aafia Siddiqui is arrested for attempting to kill United States Officers in Afghanistan. She has been transported to New York and will be presented tomorrow before a United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

In September 2008, her son was handed over to Pakistan by Afghan officials. Dr. Aafia was indicted for attempting to kill United States nationals in Afghanistan.

The trial continued for over 16 months and now, even when the jury was unconvinced about the charges, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has been convicted.

The inhuman treatment of Dr. Aafia, her trial and conviction confirms that Obama Administration is following the path of Bush and the Justice system of United States is not really fair and impartial.

Those ostriches in Pakistan who thought Aafia Siddiqui would be released and handed back to Pakistan so that PPP government can score some points, should now return to their pots.