Pakistan dismayed at US guilty verdict

US: Pakistan on Wednesday voiced dismay after a US court found a Pakistani woman guilty of trying to kill American troops in Afghanistan and vowed to press her case.

Aafia Siddiqui, 37, a neuroscientist trained at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was found guilty on all charges by a jury in federal court in New York.

“We are dismayed over the unexpected verdict of the jury in Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case,” Pakistan’s embassy in Washington said in a statement.

“The government of Pakistan made intense diplomatic and legal efforts on her behalf and will consult the family of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and the team of defense lawyers to determine the future course of action,” it said.

“The Government will do all that is needed to provide justice to her as a Pakistani citizen,” it said. A family lawyer has already announced an appeal, citing “prejudice and bias” against Siddiqui.

The verdict comes amid a series of disputes between the United States and Pakistan, uneasy partners in the campaign against Islamic extremism.

Pakistan is trying five Americans accused by Pakistan of ties to groups linked to Al-Qaeda.

In a court appearance on Tuesday, the Americans alleged that they were tortured. The US State Department said it has raised the accusations with Pakistan. Washington, Thursday, AFP