New lawyers panel to defend Aafia at trial

NEW YORK - While the family Dr Aafia Siddiqui has expressed confidence in the new team of defence lawyers to win the freedom of the Pakistani neuroscientist who stands trial in October, her consent for the three-member panel to represent her was awaited, according to legal sources. A statement issued by the family of Dr Siddiqui, who is accused of trying to kill American official in Afghanistan last year, said the team, comprising Ms Linda Moreno, Ms Elaine Sharp and Charles Swift, would replace her court-appointed counsel, Dawn Cardi, Ms Siddiqui had expressed no confidence in Ms Cardi. But, according to the sources, Ms Siddiqui has yet to approve the panel appointed in consultations with her family. The Federal District Court in Manhattan is stated to be in the process of seeking her consent. During her last court appearance, Ms Siddiqui declared that she is no confidence in the US legal system. Legal experts say that while the case against Ms Siddiqui has some weaknesses which defence lawyers could exploit, her cooperation with the defence team was of vital importance, one expert said. The Pakistan government has approved $2 million for the new lawyers panel and the money has since been received. Ms Siddiqui, who vehemently denies shooting at American personnel, was recently ruled fit to stand trial after a judge sided with experts who said she was faking mental illness in a bid to improve the odds she would be sent back to her homeland. Her trial date is set for Oct 19. The statement expressed the hope that the team will work in the best interests of Aafia Siddiqui and strive to get her home in a speedy fashion despite the challenges of time imposed by the court. The statement said that the family is humbled and grateful for the enormous support of the Pakistani people along with people of conscience around the world. We also want to thank the many sincere and courageous people in the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani embassy in Washington, DC, whose efforts made history by exercising Pakistans right under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention for Consular Relations to provide a legal defense for Aafia, it said. Time was running out and it had become clear to all observers that the court-appointed attorneys could not mount an effective defence of (Aafia Siddiqui), in part because of the severe handicaps placed on them by the court in terms of resources, independence and limited time allotted to them, the statement said. In partnership with the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), we recommended and endorse the legal team retained by the Government of Pakistan to defend Aafia. The statement expressed the hope that the team will work in the best interests of Aafia Siddiqui and strive to get her home in a speedy fashion despite the challenges of time imposed by the court. Each of these attorneys have demonstrated their skill and unwavering commitment to justice, and we trust they will apply their passion and dedication to Aafias case. In addition, we pray that the diplomatic efforts by the government of Pakistan on Aafias behalf will continue unimpeded, the statement said. Her trial is less than nine weeks away and the presiding judge has made it clear that he does not intend to allow additional time for the new counsels to prepare or for the results of an independent investigation into the allegations made by the prosecution. Meanwhile, Aafias conditions of confinement are worse than that of a convicted felon. This environment makes it impossible for her to trust a system that preaches 'presumed innocence but treats her diametrically opposite. In spite of these challenges, we are confident of Aafias innocence of the charges against her, the statement added. We ask that the people of Pakistan and supporters everywhere join with us in prayer that Allah, the Most Merciful, grants Aafia the freedom to soon be home with her family.