The tragic fate of Bin Laden whistleblower

Despite America's earnest pleas, Dr. Afridi, who helped find the whereabouts of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden six years ago, is still being held in prison in Pakistan.

According to CNS, Afridi, a Pakistani, was initially charged with treason by Pakistani authorities for collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies and allegedly having ties to a terrorist group in Peshawar.

Last week, the US Senate Appropriations Committee passed a spending bill for fiscal year 2018 that includes $33 million in economic and security assistance to Pakistan to secure the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi and his removal from prison for helping the US locate Bin Laden.

Dr Afridi was sentenced to 33 years in prison in May 2012, weeks after a US Navy SEAL team raided a compound in Abbottabad where the terrorist leader was hiding. He was convicted for crimes unrelated to Bin Laden, but many US lawmakers believe he was imprisoned for helping the US track Bin Laden.

Afridi helped US officials identify people living in the Abbottabad compound by collecting DNA samples during vaccinations there. Then-CIA Director Leon Panetta said in 2012 that Afridi helped provide useful intelligence related to the operation to kill Bin Laden.

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress in July, includes the following: "Afridi is a hero to the people of America, Pakistan, and the world. We are grateful for his assistance in locating Osama bin Laden."

US Congressman Ted Poe also said: "Pakistan claims to be America's number one ally against terrorism, but they still keep the hero Afridi in prison... He deserves a medal instead of being in prison."

According to Vietnamnet.vn