A U.S. judge has approved a request from Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s legal team to access new and confidential evidence that may bolster their clemency petition.

The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman, allows Siddiqui’s lawyers to review critical discovery materials from 2009, though access is restricted due to concerns about national security.

Clive Stafford Smith, one of her attorneys, expressed optimism about the new evidence related to Siddiqui’s detention at a “Black Site” following her time in isolation at Bagram.

He has also submitted a comprehensive 56,600-word clemency petition, detailing the complexities and alleged injustices in Siddiqui’s case.

The legal motion is based on a statute permitting federal inmates to challenge their convictions on specific grounds, including constitutional violations and issues with court jurisdiction.

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This motion serves as a post-conviction remedy similar to a federal habeas corpus petition, specifically for federal prisoners.

The petition references provisions that allow for sentence reductions due to extraordinary circumstances, such as serious health issues.