Scientist Aafia Siddiqui, a reputed al-Qaida supporter, faces NYC trial
By APTuesday, January 19, 2010
Reputed al-Qaida supporter faces NYC trial
NEW YORK — A Pakistani scientist who’s a reputed al-Qaida supporter is set for trial on attempted murder charges in Manhattan.
Opening statements are scheduled Tuesday in Aafia Siddiqui’s (ah-FEE’-uh sih-DEE’-keez) federal trial.
She’s accused of grabbing a U.S. Army officer’s rifle in Afghanistan and exchanging gunfire with U.S. soldiers and FBI agents.
On Thursday, a judge had Siddiqui removed from court after she interrupted questioning of potential jurors about 9/11.
She told them she had nothing to do with the attacks and suggested Israel was behind them.
Authorities have accused her of fleeing the United States to her native Pakistan in 2003. They say she married an al-Qaida operative related to admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed.
Siddiqui is not facing terrorism charges.
