Friday, September 24, 2010

Protests condemn verdict against Aafia Siddiqui

KARACHI: The sentencing of Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui by a New York court on Thursday prompted demonstrations in at least four cities on Friday.

Much of the anger was directed at the Pakistani government for failing to somehow intervene in her case.

In Karachi, where Siddiqui's family lives, police fired tear gas to disperse about 100 people who began hurling stones at officers, said police Chief Javed Akbar.

In Islamabad, protesters from a political party attempting to reach the US Embassy scuffled with police near a five-star hotel, witnesses said.

''Down with America!'' the protesters shouted.

Aafia Siddiqui, 38, was detained in Afghanistan in 2008. She was found guilty of seizing a weapon from one of her captors and trying to shoot US authorities who were interrogating her there.

Many Pakistanis believe claims by Siddiqui's supporters that the US abducted her long before that and kept her in a secret prison for years. US officials deny those claims, though they had listed Siddiqui as a suspect wanted for alleged links to al-Qaeda before her arrest.

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