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LONDON: The British
Member of Parliament Lord Nazir Ahmed has sought permission to
visit Pakistan neuro-scientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui under US
custody in New York on alleged charges of terrorism.
Speaking at a news conference at his Central London office on
Tuesday accompanied by former British journalist Yvonne Ridley
who had first raised concerns about Dr. Aafia, Lord Ahmed
expressed fears over the health of the incarcerated Pakistani
national.
He demanded that Dr. Siddique relatives including her mother
and sister be allowed to proceed to USA and visit her and
clear the mystery behind her disappearance from Pakistan in
2003.
Lord Ahmed released the response of his letter he had
addressed to the US Embassy in London in which Richard LeBaron,
Charged’Affaires wrote: “Prior to Ms. Siddique’s detention by
Afghan police on July 17, 2008, the United States did not have
knowledge of her whereabouts and Ms. Siddique had never been
in US custody including in Bagram.”
He claimed that charges against Ms. Siddique are serious and
well-founded and assured that she has not been mistreated by
US personnel.
Regarding Lord Ahmed’s desire in visiting Ms.Siddique, the US
diplomat said his country is prepared to facilitate such a
visit consistent with the applicable rules and procedures of
the Detention Centre and contingent on Ms.Siddique’s consent.
On Lord Ahmed’s query regarding “Prisoner 650,” LeBaron wrote
that Ms. Siddique is not prisoner by that number. At the press
conference the British Parliamentarian posed a question that
if Ms. Siddique was not “Prisoner 650” then who is the actual
woman by that serial number and that all facts must be brought
to light by the US and Afghan authorities.
Lord Ahmed also asked that all arrangements must be made to
unite Ms.Siddique’s three children with their mother.
Meanwhile, the arraignment for hearing of Dr Aafia Siddiqui on
charges of attempted attack on US officials in Afghanistan has
been postponed to September 22 by a New York district court.
Her defence lawyer had complained about lack of proper
treatment of her client.
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