Tom Rooney: Obama Should Demand Pakistan Release Doctor


U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, has joined those calling on President Obama to demand the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor sentenced to 33 years in prison for treason after he assisted the United States in the search for Osama bin Laden.

“I’m outraged that the Pakistani government, our supposed ally, would try Dr. Afridi for heroically assisting in the search for Osama bin Laden,” Rooney stated in a release. “Dr. Afridi had the courage to step up and help us track bin Laden and bring him to justice, while the Pakistani government did little to assist in the search for the world’s most wanted terrorist.

“President Obama should demand, as a condition of future financial assistance, that the Pakistani government grant Dr. Afridi an unconditional pardon and release him without delay.”

A Senate panel has responded to the sentence by cutting aid to Islamabad by $33 million, $1 million for every year of the physician’s 33-year sentence for high treason.
Add a Comment

Comments (1)

Frank
10:04PM MAY 24TH 2012
What do you think the messages from the Administration that this is "unjust and unwarranted" and that there is "no basis" for this jailing means? That they support this?

Stop being internally partisan political - unite behind the President and send that message, rather than trying to score a miniscule political point of the day.

Leave a Comment on This Story

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.