Intimidation tactics: Dr Afridi’s lawyer leaves country after threats

Samiullah Afridi has obtained a one-month visa and plans to get asylum.

PESHAWAR:

After receiving multiple threats from militants, Dr Shakil Afridi’s lawyer Samiullah Afridi left the country for Dubai on Wednesday, a close associate of the lawyer revealed.

Samiullah had reportedly been receiving threats for representing Dr Shakil Afridi, who was arrested for carrying out a fake vaccination which helped the CIA track down Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

The insider confirmed Samiullah had left the country keeping in view threats he had been receiving from militants for the past few days. “Samiullah had neither taken anyone into confidence nor informed anyone about his decision to leave,” he said.

According to the source, Samiullah has obtained a one month visa and was planning to gain asylum in two countries for which he had filed applications but the decision was still pending.

Qamar Nadeem, another one of Dr Afridi’s counsels, confirmed Samiullah had indeed received threats telling him to stay out of Dr Afridi’s ongoing case, however, Nadeem expressed ignorance about Samiullah’s departure from the country.

During an informal talk with journalists, nearly a week ago, Samiullah said unidentified people had come to his office and warned him to stay away from Dr Afridi’s case. He also claimed he had received threatening calls as well making the same demands.

Samiullah had told reporters after the threats he had curtailed his activities and started using public transport instead of his personal car to attend Dr Afridi’s review petition hearings.

Dr Shakil’s lawyers Samiullah Afridi, Abdul Latif Afridi and Qamar Nadeem have filed a review petition for Dr Shakil Afridi in the FATA Tribunal seeking a fresh retrial for the doctor, recording of witness’ testimony in front of him, hearings to be held in Peshawar Central Prison and right to apply for bail.

In a hearing on December 9, the Fata Tribunal reserved its decision on the review petition and the verdict is likely to be announced on December 18.

Former agency surgeon of Khyber Agency, Dr Shakil Afridi was arrested in May 2011 soon after the killing of Osama bin Laden for allegedly helping the CIA in a fake vaccination campaign. He was later convicted to 33 years in prison and fine of Rs320,000 for allegedly helping a banned militant organisation in Khyber Agency by the assistant political agent of Bara.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2013.