Pakistani Scientist Khan Seeks Health Review

Former top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who confessed to transferring nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea, may be suffering from declining health while under house arrest, Reuters reported today (see GSN, Oct. 27).

Supporters filed a petition yesterday asking that Khan be produced in court so that his health can be assessed.

“We are worried about his health. He is psychologically disturbed and is suffering from mental torture ... he is also reported to have had a mild heart attack about 2 1/2 months ago,” said attorney Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry, who filed the petition in the Pakistani Supreme Court.

The Pakistani military said last week that the 69-year-old Khan suffered blood pressure and weight loss troubles earlier this year, but has recovered since June, according to Reuters. In a statement, the military said that a checkup conducted last month found Khan in “perfectly good health” (Reuters, Nov. 4).

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