Prisoner referenced by hostage taker not involved, her lawyer says

The lawyer for a US security prisoner mentioned by the Texas hostage taker says the prisoner has “absolutely no involvement” in the hostage situation at a Texas synagogue.

In a video from the scene at the Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, the hostage taker can be heard referencing Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani who was convicted in 2010 by a New York City federal court of attempting to kill US military personnel.

She is currently serving an 86-year sentence at Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth, Texas, some 15 miles southwest of Colleyville.

Siddiqui’s lawyer, Marwa Elbially, tells CNN that Siddiqui “does not want any violence perpetrated against any human being, especially in her name.”

Elbially has not spoken with Siddiqui since the crisis began.

Early reports said Siddiqui’s brother was the attacker, but he has denied any involvement.