A U.S. judge has granted Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s legal team access to new confidential evidence that could strengthen their clemency petition.
U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman’s ruling permits Siddiqui’s attorneys to review important discovery materials from 2009, although access is limited due to national security concerns.
Clive Stafford Smith, one of her lawyers, expressed hope regarding the new evidence tied to Siddiqui’s detention at a “Black Site” after her period of isolation at Bagram.
He has also submitted a detailed 56,600-word clemency petition that outlines the complexities and alleged injustices surrounding Siddiqui’s case.
The legal motion is based on a statute that allows federal inmates to contest their convictions on certain grounds, including constitutional violations and court jurisdiction issues.
This motion acts as a post-conviction remedy akin to a federal habeas corpus petition, specifically designed for federal prisoners.
The petition cites provisions that permit sentence reductions in extraordinary circumstances, such as significant health issues.
