Imprisoned Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s lawyer Clive Stafford Smit disclosed that his client has been subjected to sexual assault on two occasions during her incarceration in the United States.
The lawyer contends that the Pakistani government is aware of these incidents, and a formal complaint has been filed on Dr Aafia's behalf.
According to Smith, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently serving an 86-year sentence, disclosed the sexual assaults during a recent meeting.
Meanwhile, the lawyer added that complaint against the sexual assault has been lodged.
Denied sisterly meeting
On the other hand, Dr Aafia Siddiqui's sister, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, was denied a scheduled meeting with her imprisoned sibling, citing the alleged misplacement of prison keys.
Despite being granted a four-hour meeting "from a distance," Dr Fowzia expressed concerns about her sister's health, claiming that prison staff provided better treatment ahead of scheduled visits.
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, who is currently in the US, quoted her sister as saying that prison staff had given her better treatment in anticipation of the scheduled meeting.
Despite being denied the reunion, Dr Fowzia remains hopeful that further meetings can be arranged with her sister, pending persuasion from the Pakistani consul general.
Earlier this year, after two decades, the sisters had a poignant reunion in June at a prison hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.
Dr Fowzia shared details of the meeting, expressing her difficulty in recognizing her sister due to the challenging conditions of her imprisonment.
As the revelations surrounding Dr Aafia Siddiqui's alleged mistreatment continue to unfold, calls for diplomatic intervention and human rights advocacy amplify, urging authorities to address the concerning circumstances surrounding her incarceration.
