US sentences Aafia to 86 years

NEW YORK - Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, who was convicted of allegedly trying to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan, was sentenced to 86 years in prison on Thursday in the Federal District Court in New York City.
Siddiqui, 38, in a white scarf, was calm when Judge Richard Berman pronounced the maximum sentence, but said that she was innocent. Outside the court building noisy demonstrations were staged by human rights activists and other supporters calling for her repatriation to Pakistan.
One of her lawyers, Dawn Cardi, said that the defence team, hired by the Pakistan Government, would appeal against the sentence but Siddiqui disowned them. “They don’t represent me.”
Her case had attracted the attention of human rights groups, some of which conducted campaigns in favour of her release or a lenient sentence. Her lawyers had requested a sentence of 12 years, while the government prosecutors had pressed for a life sentence. The prosecutors insisted that the court had the duty to protect the American people.
Siddiqui, who got biology and neuroscience degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brandeis University, had punctuated her 14-day trial with numerous outbursts, resulting in her being ejected from the courtroom on several occasions.
Prior to her sentencing, Siddiqui disputed claims by her lawyers that she has a mental illness. She also urged her supporters not to lobby for her or turn violent. “I stand for peace and justice,” she said.
“I do not want a 9/11,” she added. “I do not want any bloodshed.”
A jury found Siddiqui guilty in February of seven charges, including two counts of attempted murder. The jury found there wasn’t premeditation in the attempted murder charges.
Siddiqui denied she was against Israel as projected in the press. But Israel has arrested Palestinian children and she was critical of the Jewish State’s policies. “I love all countries, including her homeland-Pakistan,” she said.
She said Islam had taught her to be patient and forgiving.
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