'Terror suspect' Dr Aafia Siddiqui says she is innocent

{image-Aafia Siddiqui_10082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Washington, Aug 10: Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist who is being held in New York for terror charges, has said that she was innocent of the charges made against her by the US authorities.

She hoped that she would be acquitted following her trial. Dr Aafia is charged with attempting to kill FBI agents and other US personnel last month in Afghanistan while in US custody. She was held in Kabul while loitering around a Governor's House under suspicious circumstances. Thereafter she was extradited to Washington. She reportedly told Pakistan's acting consul general Saqib Rauf and Ms Faqir Saeed, a counsellor at the embassy in Washington: "I am confident if there is any justice I will be acquitted."

The Pakistan embassy officials and Ms Siddiqi's defence attorney Gideon Oliver stayed with her for over two hours inquiring after her and assuring her of all help. She is being held at the Brooklyn detention centre since last Monday, reported the Dawn.

Rauf said he was amazed to see how articulate and clearheaded she was under the circumstances. "She inquired after the health of her mother and the political conditions in Pakistan", added the acting consul general.

He added that on the advice of her defence attorney, she could not give details about the whereabouts of her children nor describe her travails while in US custody in Afghanistan. "But she said that she was surprised at the charges against her and denied them and expected to be exonerated when she has her day in court", Rauf said.

ANI