Washington, January 18, 2025: Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States, has made a formal appeal for a presidential pardon from outgoing President Joe Biden. The request comes as Biden prepares to hand over office to President-elect Donald Trump.
Dr. Siddiqui, 52, was convicted in 2010 for attempting to murder an FBI agent during an incident in Afghanistan. She has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that new evidence could vindicate her.
Her attorney, Clive Stafford Smith, has submitted a detailed clemency petition to President Biden, arguing that intelligence failures and alleged mistreatment led to her wrongful conviction. He further claims that Siddiqui was abducted by Pakistan’s intelligence agency in 2003, handed over to the CIA, and subjected to torture.
The case remains highly contentious. While CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou and others have described Siddiqui as a significant figure linked to al-Qaeda, her family and supporters insist she was wrongfully accused. Her sister, Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, has campaigned tirelessly for her release, portraying her as a victim of grave injustice.
As Biden’s term nears its conclusion, there is growing concern that Siddiqui’s plea may go unanswered, leaving her legal team scrambling for a last-minute intervention. Her supporters hope that Biden will act swiftly to address the matter before leaving office, fearing that her chances of securing clemency under the incoming administration may diminish.
