News
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
US prosecutor says Dr Aafia may be unfit for trial
NEW YORK: A United States prosecutor has asked a federal judge to order a psychiatric evaluation of Aafia Siddiqui, who is charged with trying to kill her American interrogators in Afghanistan. Siddiqui’s September 4 arraignment at Manhattan federal court was delayed after she refused to submit to a strip search, a security procedure requiring inmates to undress and squat in front of guards. Without the search, she cannot be brought to court. In a letter to US District Judge Richard Berman, US Attorney Michael Garcia said that there was reason to believe Siddiqui, who has refused to co-operate with prison doctors, is suffering from a mental disease and is unfit to stand trial. The letter, which was made public on Tuesday, asked for a competency hearing and complete psychiatric evaluation. Garcia asked the court to find that “there is a reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering her incompetent to enter a plea or stand trial”. At the last court appearance, Siddiqui’s lawyer, Elizabeth Fink, said federal authorities should treat Siddiqui as someone who may have been the victim of torture. reuters
Courtesy Daily Times