US court finds Pak terror-accused Aafia Siddiqui competent to stand trial

New York, July 30 (ANI): Rejecting her mental illness claims, a US court has ruled that terror-accused Pakistani neurologist Aafia Siddiqui is competent to stand trial.

US District Judge Richard Berman ruled on the basis of the findings of three experts, who had concluded Siddiqui was faking mental illness to evade trial or improve chances of being returned to Pakistan, the Daily Times reports.

"The court finds that Dr Siddiqui is competent to stand trial by a preponderance of the evidence," Berman said in a written order.

A psychologist retained by Siddiqui's lawyers had said that she suffers from a genuine mental disorder.

It was said that Siddiqui reported dramatic hallucinations and delusions involving flying infants, dark angels, a dog in her cell and children visiting her.

The judge noted that Siddiqui appeared appropriately groomed and in good physical condition at her hearing, entering and exiting the courtroom at an appropriate pace and without assistance.

Siddiqui is currently in US custody on charges of assaulting and attempting to murder American troops during her detention in Afghanistan. (ANI)