Pakistani scientist testifies at NY trial, denies trying to kill Americans in Afghanistan

Pakistani woman denies trying to kill Americans

NEW YORK — A U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist says she never picked up a gun and didn’t try to kill American personnel in Afghanistan.

Aafia Siddiqui (ah-FEE’-uh sih-DEE’-kee) testified at her New York trial Thursday afternoon. She began her testimony by telling how she was educated in the United States.

Earlier in the day, Judge Richard Berman cleared Siddiqui to testify.

Her lawyers had tried to block the testimony, saying her “diminished capacity” would result in a “painful spectacle.” Prosecutors said it would be unprecedented to deny a defendant such a basic right.

Authorities describe Siddiqui as an al-Qaida supporter and say she tried to kill FBI and Army officers in an Afghanistan police station in 2008. She denies the charges.