Aalia Rahman, a US-based software engineer, says officers ignored her disability during arrest
A disturbing case of alleged excessive force by US federal law enforcement has sparked outrage after a disabled woman, Aalia Rahman, claimed she was forcibly arrested despite repeatedly informing officers of her medical condition.
According to international media reports, the incident occurred in the US state of Minnesota, where masked federal agents stopped Rahman near a medical facility. Rahman, a US-born software engineer of Bangladeshi origin, says she was on her way to receive treatment for a traumatic brain injury when officers intercepted her vehicle.
In an interview with US media outlets, Aalia Rahman stated that she clearly informed the officers that she was physically disabled and urgently needed medical attention. Despite her pleas, she alleges that agents dragged her out of the car, used unnecessary force, and treated her in a degrading and inhumane manner.
Rahman said she was forcibly taken into custody instead of being allowed to proceed to her medical appointment. She claims that during her detention, her health deteriorated rapidly, causing her to lose consciousness at the holding facility. She was later transferred to a hospital, where she received emergency medical care.
“I told them multiple times that I am disabled and going for treatment,” Rahman said. “They ignored everything and treated me brutally. I consider myself lucky to be alive.”
The incident has raised serious concerns, particularly because it occurred in the same area where another woman, 37-year-old Reni Nicole Goode, was fatally shot by federal agents just days earlier. According to US media reports, Goode was shot in the chest, arm, and head, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rahman stated that her knowledge of the earlier shooting influenced her decision not to resist during her arrest, fearing a similar outcome. “I was terrified. I knew what had happened nearby just days before,” she said.
Human rights advocates and civil liberties groups have begun calling for a transparent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved. Critics argue that the incident highlights a broader pattern of aggressive policing and disregard for vulnerable individuals, including people with disabilities.
As of now, US authorities have not released a detailed statement addressing Rahman’s allegations. The case has reignited debates over police accountability, use of force, and the treatment of disabled citizens during law enforcement operations.
