Mohammed Khan
Encyclopedia
Dr. Amjad Mohammed Khan (born March 4, 1970), a former anesthesiologist
at Brigham and Women's Hospital
, was sought for questioning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
. The former husband of Afia Siddiqui, Khan was the scion of a wealthy family, and the FBI has suggested "he might have been" involved in Majid Khan's alleged plot to destroy gas stations in Baltimore, Maryland.
After he was located and questioned, he was released and removed from the FBI's wanted list.
in Karachi
in 1995.
When Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
met his mother in Pakistan, his parents agreed on an arranged marriage
for him and met with Siddiqui's parents to discuss the details. It was decided that since Siddiqui had been accepted into Brandeis University
in Boston
, Khan could move to Lexington, Massachusetts
, with her and begin studies at Harvard University
. Since Siddiqui was back in the United States, the couple, who had never seen each other, performed their nikah
over the telephone in 1995. He has also said that Siddiqui wanted him to move to Afghanistan, and work as a medic for the mujahideen
. They have three children: Ahmed (b. 1996), Maryam (b. 1998), and Suleman (b. 2002). The two older children are American citizens.
After approximately a year in Lexington, the couple moved to Back Bay Manor, in Mission Hill
to be closer to Khan's hospital. In 1999, while living in Boston, Siddiqui and her husband founded the nonprofit Institute of Islamic Research and Teaching. They moved again in July 2001, this time to Malden
. Their lease was taken over by Saudi nationals Abdullah Al Reshood and Hatem Al Dhahri, who had just received a $20,000 transfer from the Saudi government, ostensibly to pay for medical treatment for al-Reshood's wife.
Siddiqui's family claim that Khan was an abusive husband, and her colleagues at university reported that she often came in with bruises on her face. Khan admits that on one occasion, he threw a baby bottle at her face, splitting her lip, requiring stitches in the hospital.
According to Khan, after the September 11 attacks Siddiqui insisted on leaving the U.S., saying that it was unsafe for them and their children to remain because the U.S. government was abducting Muslim children. She had previously spoken of wanting to immigrate to Afghanistan or Bosnia. Khan balked, fearful he would lose his salary bonus at the hospital, and agreed she could go ahead and he would follow shortly. However, others dispute that the move was his idea, and suggest that Khan had been "more fundamentalist in his religious beliefs than her", and she wanted to remain in the United States while he had insisted on raising their children in an Islamic country.
In May 2002, the FBI questioned the couple regarding their purchase over the internet of $10,000 worth of night vision goggles, body armor
, and military manuals including The Anarchist's Arsenal, Fugitive, Advanced Fugitive, and How to Make C-4
. Khan claimed that these were for hunting and camping expeditions.
His mother-in-law claims that he was responsible for the investigation into Siddiqui, purchasing the suspicious items using her e-mail
account, to be shipped to Pakistan shortly before they moved there.
In addition, the couple had transferred $8,000 to their Pakistani account with Habib Bank on December 21. Khan agreed to return the items he had purchased.
In Pakistan, their families said there was visible tension between the couple, with Khan telling a relative that "her nature doesn't suit me". He has accused Siddiqui of being abusive and manipulative throughout their seven years of marriage, and said that Siddiqui had a violent personality and extremist views, leading him to suspect her of involvement in jihad
i activities.
In August 2002 the couple's marriage reached a breaking point. Around this time, Khan went to the bank to withdraw $2,000 only to be told that his wife had already removed the money from the account earlier, leading to a heated argument. Angered, Khan went to Siddiqui's parents' home, and said he intended to divorce her. An argument took place between Khan and her father, and Siddiqui's father suffered a fatal heart attack on August 15, 2002.
Her family refused all future contact with Khan. A few weeks later Siddiqui gave birth to their third child. Their divorce was finalized on October 21, 2002.
Khan claims he helped the ISI
identify his ex-wife, whom they arrested as she returned to Jinnah International Airport
from an overseas trip. She was questioned by the FBI, and American intelligence sources confirmed that she was "essentially in the hands of the FBI now". Siddiqui's family claimed that Khan was responsible for her "disappearance" that month. For his role, Siddiqui's family launched a PKR
5 million lawsuit alleging he is an "Islamic extremist" "wifebeater" who defamed his ex-wife and lies about her militant connections.
Within weeks, he was added to the FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
. He was eventually removed from the list.
As of 2005, he practiced medicine in Karachi.
Siddiqui was accused of being an al-Qaeda
member. In February 2010, she was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to kill U.S. soldiers and FBI agents who were seeking to interrogate her while she was in custody.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist or anaesthetist is a physician trained in anesthesia and peri-operative medicine....
at Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital is the largest hospital of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts. It is directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School of which it is the second largest teaching affiliate with 793 beds...
, was sought for questioning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. The former husband of Afia Siddiqui, Khan was the scion of a wealthy family, and the FBI has suggested "he might have been" involved in Majid Khan's alleged plot to destroy gas stations in Baltimore, Maryland.
After he was located and questioned, he was released and removed from the FBI's wanted list.
Life
Khan's father, Agha Abdul Khan, owned a pharmaceutical firm. Khan graduated from the medical school at Aga Khan UniversityAga Khan University
The Aga Khan University is a coeducational research university spread over three continents. It was granted its charter in 1983 as Pakistan's first private, autonomous university. AKU was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, and is part of the Aga Khan Development Network...
in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
in 1995.
When Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
Aafia Siddiqui
Aafia Siddiqui is an American-educated Pakistani cognitive neuroscientist who was convicted of assault with intent to murder her U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan. The charges carried a maximum sentence of life in prison; in September 2010, she was sentenced by a United States district court to 86...
met his mother in Pakistan, his parents agreed on an arranged marriage
Arranged marriage
An arranged marriage is a practice in which someone other than the couple getting married makes the selection of the persons to be wed, meanwhile curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages had deep roots in royal and aristocratic families around the world...
for him and met with Siddiqui's parents to discuss the details. It was decided that since Siddiqui had been accepted into Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Khan could move to Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
, with her and begin studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Since Siddiqui was back in the United States, the couple, who had never seen each other, performed their nikah
Nikah
Marriage in Islam is an Islamic prenuptial contract between a man and woman to live as husband and wife. It is a formal, binding contract considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride involved in marriage proceedings...
over the telephone in 1995. He has also said that Siddiqui wanted him to move to Afghanistan, and work as a medic for the mujahideen
Mujahideen
Mujahideen are Muslims who struggle in the path of God. The word is from the same Arabic triliteral as jihad .Mujahideen is also transliterated from Arabic as mujahedin, mujahedeen, mudžahedin, mudžahidin, mujahidīn, mujaheddīn and more.-Origin of the concept:The beginnings of Jihad are traced...
. They have three children: Ahmed (b. 1996), Maryam (b. 1998), and Suleman (b. 2002). The two older children are American citizens.
After approximately a year in Lexington, the couple moved to Back Bay Manor, in Mission Hill
Mission Hill
Mission Hill is an American animated television series that first aired on The WB in 1999. Although 18 episodes were planned, only 13 episodes were produced. The show was put on hiatus by the WB Network after two episodes due to poor ratings. It returned to the WB in the summer of 2000 but was...
to be closer to Khan's hospital. In 1999, while living in Boston, Siddiqui and her husband founded the nonprofit Institute of Islamic Research and Teaching. They moved again in July 2001, this time to Malden
Malden
Malden is the name of places:In England:*New Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Old Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Malden Rushett, Kingston upon ThamesIn the United States of America:*Malden, Illinois*Malden, Massachusetts*Malden, Missouri...
. Their lease was taken over by Saudi nationals Abdullah Al Reshood and Hatem Al Dhahri, who had just received a $20,000 transfer from the Saudi government, ostensibly to pay for medical treatment for al-Reshood's wife.
Siddiqui's family claim that Khan was an abusive husband, and her colleagues at university reported that she often came in with bruises on her face. Khan admits that on one occasion, he threw a baby bottle at her face, splitting her lip, requiring stitches in the hospital.
According to Khan, after the September 11 attacks Siddiqui insisted on leaving the U.S., saying that it was unsafe for them and their children to remain because the U.S. government was abducting Muslim children. She had previously spoken of wanting to immigrate to Afghanistan or Bosnia. Khan balked, fearful he would lose his salary bonus at the hospital, and agreed she could go ahead and he would follow shortly. However, others dispute that the move was his idea, and suggest that Khan had been "more fundamentalist in his religious beliefs than her", and she wanted to remain in the United States while he had insisted on raising their children in an Islamic country.
Return to the United States, investigation
Khan returned to the United States with his family on January 5, 2002, claiming he had been unable to find suitable employment in Pakistan.In May 2002, the FBI questioned the couple regarding their purchase over the internet of $10,000 worth of night vision goggles, body armor
Personal armor
Personal armor is the whole of protecting clothing, designed to absorb and/or deflect slashing, bludgeoning, and penetrating attacks. They were historically used to protect soldiers, whereas today, they are also used to protect police forces, private citizens and private security guards or...
, and military manuals including The Anarchist's Arsenal, Fugitive, Advanced Fugitive, and How to Make C-4
C-4 (explosive)
C4 or Composition C4 is a common variety of the plastic explosive known as Composition C.-Composition and manufacture:C4 is made up of explosives, plastic binder, plasticizer and usually marker or odorizing taggant chemicals such as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane to help detect the explosive and...
. Khan claimed that these were for hunting and camping expeditions.
His mother-in-law claims that he was responsible for the investigation into Siddiqui, purchasing the suspicious items using her e-mail
E-mail
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
account, to be shipped to Pakistan shortly before they moved there.
In addition, the couple had transferred $8,000 to their Pakistani account with Habib Bank on December 21. Khan agreed to return the items he had purchased.
Divorce, role in wife's arrest
On June 26, 2002, the couple returned to Pakistan. They said it was to be with Siddiqui's father, who was ill.In Pakistan, their families said there was visible tension between the couple, with Khan telling a relative that "her nature doesn't suit me". He has accused Siddiqui of being abusive and manipulative throughout their seven years of marriage, and said that Siddiqui had a violent personality and extremist views, leading him to suspect her of involvement in jihad
Jihad
Jihad , an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates as a noun meaning "struggle". Jihad appears 41 times in the Quran and frequently in the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of God ". A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid; the plural is...
i activities.
In August 2002 the couple's marriage reached a breaking point. Around this time, Khan went to the bank to withdraw $2,000 only to be told that his wife had already removed the money from the account earlier, leading to a heated argument. Angered, Khan went to Siddiqui's parents' home, and said he intended to divorce her. An argument took place between Khan and her father, and Siddiqui's father suffered a fatal heart attack on August 15, 2002.
Her family refused all future contact with Khan. A few weeks later Siddiqui gave birth to their third child. Their divorce was finalized on October 21, 2002.
Khan claims he helped the ISI
Inter-Services Intelligence
The Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence , is Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, responsible for providing critical national security intelligence assessment to the Government of Pakistan...
identify his ex-wife, whom they arrested as she returned to Jinnah International Airport
Jinnah International Airport
Jinnah International Airport is Pakistan's largest international and domestic airport. It is located in Karachi, Pakistan, and its passenger terminal is also commonly known as the جناح ٹرمینل Jinnah Terminal...
from an overseas trip. She was questioned by the FBI, and American intelligence sources confirmed that she was "essentially in the hands of the FBI now". Siddiqui's family claimed that Khan was responsible for her "disappearance" that month. For his role, Siddiqui's family launched a PKR
Pakistani rupee
The rupee is the currency of Pakistan. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank of the country. The most commonly used symbol for the rupee is Rs, used on receipts when purchasing goods and services. In Pakistan, the rupee is referred to as the...
5 million lawsuit alleging he is an "Islamic extremist" "wifebeater" who defamed his ex-wife and lies about her militant connections.
Within weeks, he was added to the FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
The FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list is the third major "wanted" list to have been created by the United States Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation to be used as a primary tool for publicly identifying and tracking down suspected terrorists operating against...
. He was eventually removed from the list.
As of 2005, he practiced medicine in Karachi.
Siddiqui was accused of being an al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
member. In February 2010, she was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to kill U.S. soldiers and FBI agents who were seeking to interrogate her while she was in custody.