Fatima Patel remains in custody at Westville Prison awaiting trial. She and her husband, Sayfudeen Aslam Del Vecchio, face charges related to the 2018 murder of British botanists Rodney and Rachel Saunders.
In an exclusive interview with Salaamedia, Patel recently broke her silence to claim she is suffering under inhumane conditions and religious harassment. She alleges that correctional officials have targeted her faith and physically mistreated her during her prolonged six-year detention.
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Allegations of religious targeting
The Muslim ummah has been called upon by Patel to provide support during her ordeal. She claims that during her arrest, police officers made derogatory references to Kalima.
Patel alleged that an officer forcefully snatched the niqab from her face. She also alleged that another officer deliberately insulted the Prophet to provoke a reaction.
“We are hoping that some way, somehow, we can perhaps bring forward a case of human rights violations to obtain a court order on [the department of] correctional services to ensure that our rights are granted, that we are treated equally as other prisoners,” she said.
Patel is currently held under high-security conditions which she describes as effectively being solitary confinement.
The Muslim ummah is requested to keep the couple and their co-accused in their prayers as the trial nears.
The state initially alleged the trio had links to ISIS, though specific terrorism charges were later dropped. Patel continues to maintain her innocence while highlighting the mental and physical toll of her detention.
Her trial has faced numerous delays, including the recusal of a judge and the illness of the accused. The matter is expected to proceed in April.
* An official response from the department of correctional services will be added once obtained.
Image via The Herald.
