Clive Stafford Smith, the lawyer representing Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned in the United States for over a decade, has disclosed that his client has been sexually assaulted at least two times during her incarceration. Smith shared that Dr Aafia informed him about the assaults during a recent meeting, and he emphasized that she is subjected to abuse and torture on a regular basis.
The attorney’s statements align with a 2018 report prepared by Aisha Farooqui, Pakistan’s former consul general in Houston, which highlighted the physical and sexual abuse faced by Dr Aafia in detention. The report recommended that diplomatic authorities intervene at the highest level to facilitate her repatriation.
Smith confirmed that a sexual assault complaint has been filed on Dr Aafia’s behalf, revealing that she was also sexually assaulted in Bagram jail, Afghanistan, where the US military operated bases during its presence in the country. According to Smith, these assaults were carried out as part of interrogation tactics.
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, sister of the imprisoned neuroscientist, who is currently in the US to meet her at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Texas, expressed concern about Dr Aafia’s health, noting that she did not seem well during their four-hour “distance” meeting. Dr Fowzia stated that the prison staff allegedly provided better treatment to her sister only two days ahead of scheduled meetings.
Despite hopes for a second meeting, Dr Fowzia mentioned that she was not allowed to meet her sister according to jail regulations, but expressed the possibility of another meeting if the Pakistani consul general persuades the authorities.
Earlier this year, the sisters met after 20 years when Dr Fowzia visited Dr Aafia at a prison hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Upon her return to Pakistan, Dr Fowzia described her sister’s deteriorating condition, expressing difficulty in recognizing her during their initial meeting.
The case has garnered international attention, with advocates calling for urgent action to address the alleged abuse and to secure Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s repatriation to Pakistan.
