Aafia Siddiqui Arrested for Attempting to Kill United States Officers in
Afghanistan
NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michael J. Garcia, the United
States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mark J. Mershon, the
Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation ("FBI"), and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the
City of New York, announced today the arrest of Aafia Siddiqui on charges
related to her attempted murder and assault of United States officers and
employees in Afghanistan. Siddiqui arrived in New York this evening and will
be presented tomorrow before a United States Magistrate Judge in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York. According to the
Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court:
On July 17, 2008, officers of the Ghazni Province Afghanistan National
Police ("ANP") observed Siddiqui outside the Ghazni governor's compound. ANP
officers questioned Siddiqui, regarded her as suspicious, and searched her
handbag. In it, they found numerous documents describing the creation of
explosives, as well as excerpts from the Anarchist's Arsenal. Siddiqui's
papers included descriptions of various landmarks in the United States,
including in New York City. Siddiqui was also in possession of substances
that were sealed in bottles and glass jars.
On July 18, 2008, a party of United States personnel, including two FBI
special agents, a United States Army Warrant Officer, a United States Army
Captain, and United States military interpreters, arrived at the Afghan
facility where Siddiqui was being held. The personnel entered a second floor
meeting room -- unaware that Siddiqui was being held there, unsecured, behind
a curtain.
The Warrant Officer took a seat and placed his United States Army M-4
rifle on the floor next to the curtain. Shortly after the meeting began, the
Captain heard a woman yell from the curtain and, when he turned, saw Siddiqui
holding the Warrant Officer's rifle and pointing it directly at the Captain.
Siddiqui said, "May the blood of [unintelligible] be directly on your
[unintelligible, possibly head or hands]." The interpreter seated closest to
Siddiqui lunged at her and pushed the rifle away as Siddiqui pulled the
trigger. Siddiqui fired at least two shots but no one was hit. The Warrant
Officer returned fire with a 9 mm service pistol and fired approximately two
rounds at Siddiqui's torso, hitting her at least once.
Despite being shot, Siddiqui struggled with the officers when they tried
to subdue her; she struck and kicked them while shouting in English that she
wanted to kill Americans. After being subdued, Siddiqui temporarily lost
consciousness. The agents and officers then rendered medical aid to Siddiqui.
Siddiqui, a 36-year-old Pakistani woman who previously resided in the
United States, is charged in a criminal Complaint filed in the Southern
District of New York with one count of attempting to kill United States
officers and employees and one count of assaulting United States officers and
employees. If convicted, Siddiqui faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in
prison on each charge.
Mr. Garcia praised the investigative work of the Joint Terrorism Task
Force ("JTTF"), the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York City Police
Department. He also expressed his gratitude to the Office of International
Affairs of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice
and the United States Department of State for their assistance in the case.
Mr. Garcia also thanked the United States Attorney's Office for the District
of Massachusetts for their assistance.
Mr. Garcia said that the investigation is continuing.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher L. Lavigne is in charge of
the prosecution.
The charges and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely
accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty.
NSD
(202)514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888
www.USDOJ.gov
SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2008, or TDD, +1-202-514-1888
