ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) today (Saturday) said that neuroscientist Dr Afia Siddiqui had received “minor injuries” after being assaulted by a fellow inmate at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Carswell, US last month but was ‘doing fine’.
In a statement, FO spokesperson said that authorities had learnt of the assault on Siddiqui by a fellow inmate on July 30. “Our embassy in Washington, as well as our consulate general in Houston immediately took up the matter with the concerned US authorities,” he said.
“Our consul general in Houston visited Dr Siddiqui immediately to ascertain her well-being. She had received some minor injuries but was doing fine,” the spokesperson confirmed.
The spokesman said that a formal complaint had been lodged with the relevant US authorities to investigate the matter and ensure her safety and well-being.
“Both the Pakistan embassy in Washington, DC and the consulate general in Houston continue making every effort to ensure that Dr Siddiqui is properly looked after during her incarceration at FMC Carswell,” he said.
Aafia Siddiqui — a US citizen of Pakistani origin — was convicted by a US court on charges of shooting at US army and FBI officers while in custody in Afghanistan and was sentenced to 86 years imprisonment.
On August 19, CAGE — an independent advocacy organization — said that it had received disturbing reports from Siddiqui’s lawyers stating that she had been attacked in her cell by an inmate who had been harassing her for some time.
According to the statement, the inmate smashed a coffee mug filled with scalding hot liquid into her face. “Dr Siddiqui curled into a fetal position to protect herself. She was unable to get up after the assault and had to be taken out of the cell in a wheelchair,” the statement said.
Incidents of abuse against Dr Siddiqui have been reported in the past as well. In June 2018, a confidential report prepared by Pakistan’s consul general in Houston of her visit to Dr Aafia Siddiqui claimed that she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse during her ongoing detention.
