Texas synagogue hostage taker reportedly demanding release of imprisoned sister

By Jacob Magid

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15 January 2022, 11:07 pm Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Peoplw demand the release of Aafia Siddiqui during International Women's Day in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

The suspect in an apparent hostage situation at a Texas synagogue is identified as Muhammad Siddiqui by ABC News, which reports that he’s holding the rabbi of the congregation and three others hostage.

Siddiqui claimed during the livestream to be the brother of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national 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 Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.

ABC, citing a source at the scene, says Siddiqui is demanding his sister’s release.

The report has not been confirmed.