Report: Terror suspect unfit for trial

Published: Nov. 19, 2008 at 1:41 AM
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NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A psychiatric report on a former MIT student charged with terrorism concludes she is not fit to stand trial, ABC News reports.

A federal judge Wednesday scheduled a competency hearing for Aafia Siddiqui for Dec. 17. Parts of the evaluation from an examination at a federal facility in Carswell, Texas, were cited in his order.

"Ms. Siddiqui is not currently competent to proceed as a result of her mental disease, which renders her unable to understand the

nature and consequences of the proceedings against her or to assist properly in her defense," the report said.

Federal prosecutors charge that Siddiqui, who was arrested in Afghanistan in July, had tied to al-Qaida. She allegedly had a target list, maps of New York City and information on chemical and biological weapons in her possession.

Siddiqui faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to shoot agents while she was being questioned.

She was extradited to the United States in August.

Some critics of U.S. counter-terrorism measures charge that she has actually been in custody much longer, detained at secret prisons outside the United States.

A native of Pakistan, Siddiqui was trained as a neuroscientist.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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