January 27, 2010, New York, NY – International Justice Network attorneys have been monitoring the trial of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, which began on January 19, and continues this week in U.S. Federal Court in the Southern District of New York.

Tina M. Foster, Executive Director the International Justice Network and spokesperson for Muhammad Siddiqui, Aafia’s brother, issued the following statement today on behalf of her U.S.-based family:

Today Bill Tobin, the expert witness called by the defense, testified that the holes in the wall, which the prosecution purports to be the place of impact of the shots, could not have been caused by the high-velocity M4 rifle that Dr. Siddiqui allegedly shot. The damage caused by bullets fired from an M4, regardless of the angle of trajectory, would be far larger than the holes shown in the wall where the incident occurred. The damage would have been different in size, shape, and impact. Mr. Tobin also stated that, if an M4 had been fired, gun shot residue should have been found on the curtain. In todays testimony, expert Tobin stated that he was absolutely positive, to a degree of scientific certainity, that the holes were not caused by the M4 rifle allegedly shot by Dr. Siddiqui.

The defense then offered a video-taped deposition of an Afghan police officer who witnessed the incedent.  The witness, Mr. Abdul Qadir, testified that he and other Afghan police officers beat Dr. Siddiqui shortly before the incident.  He also testified that Dr. Siddiqui tried to escape by throwing herself from a second story window.

Tomorrow, the defense will complete the presentation of it's case and the judge will rule on whether Dr. Siddiqui will testify.