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Egypt
571. By letter dated 26 March 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received allegations concerning Mahmoud Gabr Mohammed, a worker and resident of El Sazeda Zeinab. On 4 October 2003, he was arrested without charges and later died in detention at El Sazeda Zeinab Police Station. His family was informed of his death on 7 October 2003. Numerous injuries and bruises were found on his body.
572. By letter dated 25 May 2004, the Government informed that he had been suffering from haemorrhaging in the urinary tract. The Department of Public Prosecutions opened an investigation, questioning witnesses who had been in detention at the Saida Zainab police station when the death occurred. Some of them said that they had heard police officers at the station beating Mahmoud Gabr Mohammed but that they had not seen it happen. Others said that they had seen two officers beating him and then carrying him back to his cell. They said that he had been in a very bad state. The brother of the deceased was also questioned. He stated that according to information that he had received from persons detained at the station at the time of his brother’s death, Mahmoud Gabr Mohammed had been tortured by members of the Saida Zainab investigations unit. The medical examiner’s report of 7 October 2003, the date on which the death occurred, noted that there were several injuries on the body and that the deceased had been dead for less than one day. However the report failed to determine the cause of death based on the physical examination.
573. By letter dated 13 April 2004, sent jointly with Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received the following allegations, to which the Government responded by letter dated 25 May 2004:
574. Muhammad ‘Abd al-Sattar al-Roubi, a 26 year-old engineer. On 19 September 2003, he died while in State Security Investigations (SSI) custody in Ebshiway detention centre, Tibhar (al-Fayyum), where the police tortured him in an attempt to extract a confession regarding his political affiliations. SSI officers told Mr. al-Roubi’s father that his son had committed suicide. No autopsy report was made public.
575. The Government informed that he was arrested, along with a number of others, for engaging in extremist acts, under his leadership. He hanged himself while being held in custody at the Fayyum State Security Investigations Branch pending referral to the Higher State Security Prosecutions Department. The Fayyum Department of Public Prosecutions opened an investigation to verify the circumstances of the death. One of the persons who had been detained along with the deceased was questioned and confirmed what had happened. The Department furthermore viewed the corpse and found no signs of any injuries suggesting that he had been subjected to violence, and decided to release the body to his family for burial.
576. Muhammad `Abd al-Qadir, age 31. On 21 September 2003, he died after he was tortured in SSI custody in Cairo. His body bore evident signs of torture and no forensic report was made public.
577. The Government informed that on 16 September 2003, a preventative detention order was issued authorizing his arrest together with a number of others, for engaging in certain extremist activities, and for maintaining contacts with members of terrorist organizations. On 21 September 2003, Muhammad `Abd al-Qadir was taken ill while in detention at the Qubba Gardens police station in Cairo. He was transferred to a private hospital and given emergency treatment. He was stabilized and sent back to the detention centre. However, he became ill again that same day and was taken to a public hospital. The examining doctor found that Muhammad `Abd al-Qadir had suffered a massive coronary, as a result of which he died shortly afterwards. The incident was recorded in the police station report and the Department of Public Prosecutions authorized the burial.
578. Mas`ad Muhammad Qutb, an accountant at the Engineers’ Syndicate. On 1 November 2003, he was arrested by the SSI of the State Security in Giza on suspicion of being a member of the illegal organization, “the Muslim Brotherhood”. He was tortured to reveal information about the organization, and died on 4 November while he was being transferred from the SSI office in Gabir Ibn Hayan to Umm al-Masryyin Hospital. The Prosecutor General’s investigation confirmed signs of inflicted injuries on his body and ordered a forensic examination to determine the cause of the death.
579. The Government informed that he died while being transferred to prison. The Department of Public Prosecutions opened an investigation, questioning the police officer who had written the report and the police sergeant responsible for guarding the building. They both said that Mas`ad Muhammad Qutb had felt very ill and the officer had taken him in a departmental vehicle to Umm al-Misriyin Hospital for emergency treatment, but he had died. The Department of Public Prosecutions went to view the body which showed signs of injuries. It decided to order the pathologist to perform an autopsy on the body in order to determine the cause of the injuries, what instrument had been used to inflict them and whether they had had a direct and vital impact on the cause of death. The pathologist’s report found there to be injuries on the body and concluded that the death, which had occurred approximately one day before the autopsy, was suspicious. Under article 126 of the Penal Code, any public official or employee who orders, or himself carries out the torture of an accused person with a view to extracting a confession from him, faces a penalty of life in prison, imprisonment at hard labour, or a term of three to 10 years in the prison. If the victim dies, the penalty is that prescribed for premeditated murder. The Department of Public Prosecutions charged the police officer and sergeant with torture causing death. They denied the charges against them and presented arguments in their defence. The documents are still being examined with a view to verifying their arguments. The family stated that they would take civil legal action against the State security investigators responsible for torturing the deceased.
580. By letter dated 8 September 2004, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received the following allegations, to which the Government responded by letter dated 11 November 2004:
581. Farag Ragab Isma’il. On 21 January 2003, he was detained at the Police Station ‘Ataba Underground Station, Cairo, after an argument with a police officer. He was forced to undress except for his underwear. He was suspended by his arms with his hands tied behind his back, blindfolded and subjected to electric shocks. Following his release on 24 January 2003, his brother, a lawyer, attempted to file a complaint of torture at Giza Police Station, but the officers refused to receive it. The Nadim Centre for the Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence conducted a medical examination of Farag Ragab Isma’il and found injuries consistent with the allegations.
582. The Government informed that there is no evidence that this man was arrested or detained at Mosca Police Station on the above-mentioned date.
583. Samaan Shawky Amin Samaan, age 19, Menoufeya. On 15 February 2003, he was arrested and taken to the 10th of Ramadan City Police Station No. 1, Cairo, on suspicion of robbery. He was detained in a room called "the fridge", and beaten by five officers (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) to force him to confess. He was beaten with a thick electrical cable all over his body, including his fingers, toes and genitals. He was plunged in cold water as he was struck, and hung and beaten with a stick on his feet. He suffered injuries to both feet and hands. He was not presented to the Prosecution Office until his release on 14 March.
584. The Government informed that the Department of Public Prosecutions decided to summon him for questioning concerning a robbery. There is no evidence that he was detained at the 10th of Ramadan City Police Station No. 1, nor that he was physically harmed in way. No legal action of any kind was taken against him. His mother stated that her son had neither been physically harmed in any way, nor detained at the 10th of Ramadan City police station No. 1.
585. Amr Sayed Zaki Morsy, a 22 year-old merchant, Giza. On 19 March 2003, he was arrested and taken to Giza Police Station by a group of police officers. The next day he was presented to the Public Prosecution Office which remanded him for four days while the investigation was carried out. On 23 March, the Public Prosecution Office extended his detention for another 15 days. On 30 March, the arresting officers (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) detained him in the women’s custody section after first sending the women out. The officers beat him with a stick all over the body, poured boiling water on his neck and chest, and burned him with cigarettes on the left thigh. He sustained burns to the neck and left shoulder, and bruises to the stomach and legs.
586. The Government informed that on 30 March 2004, an altercation took place between him and an officer from Giza Police Station. His mother lodged a number of complaints with the procurator- general, accusing police officers at the station of assaulting and injuring her son. However, he denied that he had ever been assaulted by any officers at the police station.
587. Mahmoud Hamed Ahmed, Rod Al Farag. On 13 May 2003, he was summoned by a policeman during an altercation in his neighbourhood. The policeman slapped him on the face and beat him. Other policemen joined in, beat him and took him to a police van. Pursuant to commands from two police officers (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur), he was stripped, humiliated, beaten and insulted. Afterwards, he was taken to Rod Al Farag Police Station where he was released without being presented to the Prosecutor’s Office or finding out the reason for his detention.
588. The Government informed that on 13 May 2004, fighting broke out at Rawd al-Farj Police Station, Cairo, and a force from the station’s investigations unit went to the scene. He was arrested and taken to the reception for processing. An investigation established that he had not taken part in the fighting and was released immediately without any legal action being taken against him.The Arabi newspaper published an article claiming that he had been injured in an assault carried out by an officer at the station, that he had filed a complaint, and that he was intending to take legal action. Mr. Ahmed came to the station with his sister and a number of lawyers and gave a statement in which he declared that he had not filed any complaints against any officer from the station.
589. Nagdy Mohamed Gad El Rub. On 14 May 2003 at 10am, he was accused of theft and taken to the Luxor Traffic Unit. There, when he denied the accusation, an officer (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) took him to a room and hung him from his arms tied behind him with the assistance of four policemen. They beat him with canes and poured boiling and cold water on him over a period of four days. The officer called his sister and brother to the office, and one of the policemen was ordered to pull Nagdy Mohamed Gad El Rub’s sister’s hair and attempted to place his hands on her genitals to force him to confess. His brother and sister were eventually released. When his condition worsened a nurse was called to treat his injuries. On 17 May 2003, he was transported to Luxor Police Station where he was charged with a misdemeanor. He was then transferred to the Luxor Prosecution Office at which time the officer threatened him and his family that if they disclosed the acts of torture he would be tortured again. He was detained in a lock-up for four days at Luxor Police Station pending the investigation. His condition deteriorated and he was transported to the burn unit at the International Luxor Hospital. Burns to the under arm area, groin, scalp and various other areas of the body were documented.
590. The Government informed that he was detained at the Luxor Traffic Unit in relation to a robbery. While he was in prison awaiting trial, he asked for a medical examination on the grounds that he had been tortured at the Luxor Traffic Unit. The Department of Public Prosecutions opened an investigation and questioned the chief of the Unit. Having completed the investigation, the Department of Public Prosecutions decided to drop the case for lack of evidence.
591. Al Said Yasin Abdel Aziz, a 50 year-old retired police officer’s assistant, Dakahleya Governorate. On the 15 July 2003, he was arrested and taken to the headquarters of Aga police force. There, the Chief Officer and his two assistants (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) tied his hands behind his back, threw him face down on the floor, put a shoe in his mouth, beat and whipped him, and hung him from behind. He suffered bruising to the left side of his face behind the ear, left foot, right wrist, and right knee.
592. The Government informed that on 15 July 2003, he was arrested for possessing an unlicensed firearm. There is no evidence that he was beaten and tortured at Aga Police Station, Daqhaliyah.
593. Said Abdel Kader Abdel Fattah, a 60 year-old manager in Egyptair, residing at Maadi. On the 23 July 2003, he was arrested and taken to Maadi Police Station. Under the leadership of an officer (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), he was beaten and struck with a sharp object, and verbally abused. He sustained abrasions and bruising to the right and left arms, back, and both feet.
594. The Government informed that on 23 July 2003, the judgements’ enforcement unit of Ma`adi Police Station, Cairo, arrested him. After he was taken to the reception, he signed a pledge promising to appear the following day before the Department of Public Prosecutions. He was let go without any further action being taken. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that he was tortured at the police station.
595. Arafa Badr Ibrahim Bayoumy, a 23 year-old marble worker, El Sayeda Aisha. On 1 August 2003, while he was in Khalifa Police Station dealing with probation matters, two policemen questioned him about drug dealers in Sayeda Aisha. When he denied any knowledge he was taken to the Assistant Detective (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur). The Assistant Detective beat his head with a stick and detained him in the investigation room, where a policeman tied his hands behind his back and hung him on the window. Alcohol and boiling water mixed with salt was poured on his body, causing burns on his chest, neck and back.
596. The Government informed that on 15 February 2004, the investigations unit of Khalifa Police Station arrested him for drug offences. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
597. Hamdy Youssef Mohamed Ahmed, his son Karam Hamdy Youssef, and his nephew Essam Mahmoud, all of the Pyramids area. On 24 September 2003, members of the Judgment Implementation Unit based at the Haram Police Station arrived at Hamdy Youssef Mohamed Ahmed’s home to collect a fine issued against him. His insistence on a receipt prompted the police officers to destroy the contents of his house, and assault him, his son and his nephew, who they punched and hit with a car jack and gun barrel. They were all taken to the police station, where they were beaten. Essam Mahmoud’s right wrist was broken.
598. The Government informed that on 24 September 2003, a group of officers from the judgements’ enforcement unit of Giza Police Station went to his home. He refused to pay and got into an altercation with some of the officers. He subsequently lodged a complaint with the Department of Public Prosecutions, claiming that the officers, acting on orders from a senior officer, had insulted and beaten him and his son and had destroyed the doors of his house. A senior officer from the Giza security directorate went to Mr. Ahmed’s home to question him about the complaint; he found no signs of violence or material damage to the home. The Department of Public Prosecutions decided to discontinue its investigation of the complaint.
599. Hossan Al Sayed Mohamed Amer, a 39 year-old owner of an auto parts shop, Mansoura. On 8 October 2003 at 5am, he went to Azbakeya Police Station, concerning a dispute with a taxi driver. There two 1st Lieutenants (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) beat him. When he threatened to go on a hunger strike, he was beaten, kicked, hit with a gun, spit on and had his head beaten against a wall until he lost consciousness. When he awoke he was shackled, spit on, and had tea poured on his face and clothes. The officers threatened to arrest and rape his family. He was taken to the Azbakeya Public Prosecutor’s Office, where he was ordered to be released and taken for a medical examination for his wounds. The police officers took him back to the police station again and detained him for four more days. On the evening of 8 October, he was led shackled to a corridor behind the custody toilets. There he was thrown on the floor and kicked all the body, particularly the left kidney. After he lost consciousness, he was woken up with toilet water poured in his nose and mouth. His head was held in a blocked toilet, and as the water dried, cockroaches were thrown on him. This treatment was repeated nightly until his release on 12 October. On the morning of 11 October, he was thrown into a prisoner van full of tires, with his hands and feet tied. The van would be driven fast and stopped suddenly so that the tires would knock into him. On the morning of 12 October he was left hanging from a wall handcuffed to his left wrist until he lost consciousness. When he awoke on the sidewalk next to the Khalifa Police Station, he was taken to the Khalifa Transfers Section, then to the Mansoura Second Ward, and then to the Al Salam Hospital, Mansoura.
600. The Government informed that on suspicion of passing counterfeit money, he was presented to the office responsible for prosecuting financial and commercial crimes, which decided to release the accused that same day, his home being used as a warranty. He was later taken to the Daqhaliyah security directorate to serve a previous sentence. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
601. Ragab Said Mohamed Sayed from Kalyoub. On 8 November 2003, he was arrested and taken Kalyoub Police Station by two detectives from the Kalyoub Investigations Centre. In detention he was forced to take off his clothes and was punched, kicked and whipped by the station detectives. He suffered bruises and abrasions to the back and left shoulder.
602. The Government informed that when he was arrested, he was found in possession of a quantity of drugs, and remanded in custody. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
603. Alaa Gabr Abou Zeid, a 20 year-old marble factory worker, El Basatin. On 13 January 2004, he was arrested and taken to Maadi Police Station, on suspicion of drug possession. In detention he was punched and kicked to force him to confess, and suffered bruising around the eyes and abrasions to his back.ç
604. The Government informed that he was arrested by the anti-drugs department of the Cairo security directorate after being found in possession of drugs, and remanded in custody. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
605. K. A. S., a 16 year-old barber, Emam el Shafey. On 13 January 2004, he was arrested and taken to Maadi Police Station. In order to force him to confess to a drug-related charge, he was stripped naked, punched, kicked and hit with a heavy stick, leaving abrasions all over his body.
606. The Government informed that he was arrested by the anti-drugs department of the Cairo security directorate after being found in possession of drugs, and remanded in custody. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
607. Yosry Mohamed Abdel Ghafar, an employee in the Habi Hotel, Aswan. On 16 February 2004, he was arrested at work and detained for two days at Aswan Police Station, on suspicion of robbery. The Chief Detective and Assistant Detective (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) beat him with a stick, stripped and whipped him. He was hung from a door by his arms handcuffed behind his back. On 19 February, officers from the Police Office Investigation entered his house, detained him in the police station and again tortured him. The day after his arrest, his brother went to inquire about him at the police station, and found his brother hanging on a door, handcuffed, with injuries that had completely changed his features. On 24 February, he was presented to the Prosecution Office which remanded him in custody for four days. He was later released on bail.
608. The Government informed that he was brought in for questioning in connection with a robbery, and remanded in custody for four days. He has said that he did not file any complaints and that it was his brother who did so, mistakenly believing that he had been tortured. The Department of Public Prosecutions dropped the investigation into the complaint filed by the brother, since there was no case to answer.
609. Talaat Mohamed Sayed, a 20 year-old farmer, Assiut. On 3 March 2004, he was detained by policemen from the Haram Police Station, who were searching for the farm’s owner. Unable to find him, he was arrested along with other workers. An Assistant Detective (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) together with other officers beat him with sticks, tied his hands behind his back and hung him on the door of one of the farm’s rooms, pulling down on his feet in order to increase the pressure on his hands. He was stripped naked and dragged along the ground, and subjected to punches and kicks. He sustained injuries on his hands and legs. He was taken to the police station, charged with weapons possession and presented to the Prosecution Office, which decided to remand him for a further four days in custody pending an investigation. His detention was extended for a further 30 days, and was later released on bail.
610. The Government informed that on 28 December 2003, a fight broke out in the vicinity of the Ahram police station among a number of individuals who were arguing over the ownership of a piece of land. Shots were exchanged and several persons were injured. A force from the station’s criminal investigations unit set out to arrest the farm owner, however, he had already left his home by the time the force arrived. Talaat Mohamed Sayed was found in possession of a firearm, and remanded in custody. There is no evidence that he was beaten or tortured.
611. Khaled Abdel Naby, an 18 year-old baker, Fayed City, Ismaleya. On 13 March 2004, he was arrested and taken to al Fanara Police Station by the investigations chief of Fayed Police Station and by a detective (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur). In a cell, he was punched, kicked and beaten with sticks and electrical cables all over his body by five policemen until he lost consciousness. When he awoke he found that his clothes were on fire. The officers forced him to sign papers before they agreed to take him to hospital for treatment. He was transferred handcuffed to the al Fanara Hospital in a police van, but the hospital refused to receive him because of the seriousness of his injuries. He was then taken to Fayed Central Hospital which sent him to Ismaleya University Hospital. He sustained burns to his face, neck and hands.
612. The Government informed that on 13 March 2004, while a force from the criminal investigations unit of the Fayed police station in Ismailiya was on its way to investigate a security incident, it became suspicious of the behaviour of his behaviour when he fled. The force gave chase and he hid in a rubbish tip. In a bid to create a diversion, he set fire to the rubbish, but got burned. He was taken to the University Hospital for emergency treatment and was found to have burns on 40 per cent of his body. He confessed to having started the fire at the rubbish tip and confirmed that his injuries had been caused by the fire. Two witnesses confirmed the story. He was released, using his home as security, after the investigation had been completed. His family lodged a complaint with the Department of Public Prosecutions, alleging that officers from Fanara Police Station had arrested, beaten and set fire to the accused. The Department of Public Prosecutions questioned the station officer and his assistants and they were let go without charge. There is no evidence that he was tortured at the Fanara or the Fayid police stations.
613. Mohamed and Ahmed Tawfik Mohamed, both students at Helwan University, Ein Shams, Cairo. On 3 April 2004, police entered their home and took them to Ein Shams Police Station. The First Lieutenant (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) punched, kicked them and whipped them with a thick leather belt. Mohamed sustained bruising and abrasions, and Ahmed Tawfik Mohammed sustained an injury to his upper jaw.
614. The Government informed that these men were involved in a dispute with a third party, and the officer was verbally abusive towards them. Legal action was taken against the officer, who was disciplined and subjected to an administrative investigation.
615. Khaled Abdel Moneem Mostafa Ebeid, age 38, Imbaba. On 6 April 2004, in Imbaba Police Station Office, he was tortured by three policemen (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteur) to force him to sign a report. They punched and kicked him and hit him with sticks all over his body, causing swelling to his face, bruising around his eyes and back. He was transferred to Tahrir Central General Hospital for treatment.
616. The Government informed that on 28 December 2003, the investigations unit of Imbaba Police Station, Giza, arrested him and he was held in pre-trial detention pending further investigations. While he was in prison, he inflicted several wounds upon himself. These events were recorded in Imbaba police station crime report. The report was passed on to the Department of Public Prosecutions, which decided to release him with his home being used as a warranty.
617. Mohamed Morsy Saleh, age 26, the Pyramids area. On 13 April 2004, while he and his cousin were in a market, they became involved in a confrontation with a policeman. The policeman pistol-whipped Mohamed Morsy Saleh on his forehead, fired shots in the air to warn bystanders and shot him in his ankle. He tied his hands, attached him to his motorcycle, and dragged him along the ground outside the market area. When his sister tried to intervene, the policeman beat her, tearing her clothes. Mohamed Morsy Saleh was taken to Al Haram Hospital, where he was refused admittance before he reported to Haram Police Station. The medical report indicated injuries to his left leg and a gunshot wound to his left foot had a gunshot wound to his left foot.
618. The Government informed that on 13 April 2004, he fled upon being approached by two security officers on patrol in the Pyramids area of Giza. They chased him and caught him in possession of drugs. He managed to get hold of a piece of iron and used it to strike and wound the two officers. He ran away and one of the officers opened fire on him, hitting him in the leg. The accused was then taken to hospital. Two persons at the scene corroborated the above version of events. The Department of Public Prosecutions decided to keep the accused in hospital while the investigation continued and to release the two security officers. There is no evidence that this man and his brother were beaten or tortured.
619. By letter dated 8 September 2004, sent jointly with the the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received the following allegations, to which the Government responded by letter dated 11 November 2004:
620. Iman Mahmoud Abdalla, a 48 year-old housewife, Suez. On 16 January 2003, she and her husband were arrested and taken to the Cairo Security department. Heliopolis and Nasr City Divisions charged them with 12 counts of robbery for which they were forced to confess. She was beaten, forced to take off her clothes, and sexually assaulted by officers. She sustained an injury to the right index finger, bruises to the chest and back, and swelling in the left knee and foot.
621. The Government informed that investigations are continuing.
622. Safaa Mohamed Ali Mahmoud, a 37 year-old housewife, Al Sharabeya. On 15 June 2003, members of the Sharbeya police force broke into her house and took her to the police station. There her veil was removed, and she was blindfolded, beaten and insulted. After two days she was taken to a shop called Al Shaymaa where a police officer (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) beat and insulted her.
623. The Government informed that she was the sister-in-law of a suspected wanted in a shooting. After the man was arrested, she filed a number of complaints, which were proved to be baseless, in a bid to induce the investigating authorities to release the accused.
624. Mabrouka Ibrahim Meselhy, a 60 year-old housewife, Kafr El Sheikh. On 16 September 2003, officers from Kafr Shokr Police Station entered her house in order to arrest her son. When they could not find him, she was whipped and kicked, and taken to the police station where she was again whipped and kicked. She was charged with hiding her son and assaulting a guard, and sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. She was later taken to Kafr Shokr Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries for five days. She suffered swelling and bruising around both eyes and head, and injuries from the whipping to her shoulders and thighs.
625. The Government informed that she assaulted and injured a policeman who was trying to arrest her son. When the woman was questioned, she claimed that she had been tortured by a police officer from Kafr Shakr. Witnesses to the incident were also questioned and they said that the woman had assaulted the officers and had helped her son to escape. The case is before the courts.
626. Nariman, Noha, Nehad, Noura and Nany Abdel Hafez Badawy, all from Zawya Hamra. On 17 December 2003, officers from Sharabeya Police Station broke into their home in search of their brother. The sisters were assaulted, causing the following injuries: Nariman suffered an injury to the left eye; Nehad, who was in the first trimester of her pregnancy, suffered bruises to her hands; Noha sustained bruises to her back and abrasions to the head; and Nany suffered bruises to her left hand and a broken finger on her left hand. No investigation has been carried out.
627. The Government informed that these women are the sisters of a man wanted in connection with a number of offences. When law enforcement officers attempted to arrest him, they were assaulted by his sisters who tried to stop them from making the arrest.
628. By letter dated 15 September 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur notified the Government that he had received the following allegations, to which the Government responded by letter dated 11 November 2004:
629. A. R. A. L. R., age 14, Cairo. On 23 May 2003, he was arrested by 6th October City policemen in the vicinity of a youth club in the city’s Sixth District. He was detained for six days and subjected to beatings and torture to make him confess to a number of thefts. On the seventh day he died after receiving an electric shock. On 30 May at 1pm, 6th October City police officers arrested and detained his father at the police station until 5pm and informed him that his son had died following an electric shock received while he was in the bathroom, and that his body had been taken to 6th October City’s General Hospital. At 6:30pm, A. R. A. L. R.’s sister and mother went to the hospital in order to seek permissio n to bury him but were refused entry to the hospital. On the 31 May 2003, his sister saw his body and observed the following injuries: long, parallel marks on his right arm; extensive bruises to his face; burn marks to the neck below the scalp; and bite marks to, and bruising of the chest.
630. The Government informed that on 30 May 2003, while remanded in custody for stealing electric cables, he was attempting to fix a water pipe in a cell at the 6th October City Police Station, Giza, when he touched an electric wire attached to a light switch and received a fatal electric shock.The incident was written up in the station’s administrative report and some detainees in the same cell were questioned about what had happened. They denied that the young man had been tortured. According to the pathologist’s report, the death was caused by a contact made between the body of the deceased and an electricity source. The papers were sent back to the Department of Public Prosecutions, which gave permission for the body to be delivered to the family of the deceased to make the necessary preparations for burial.
631. Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Amr, age 35, al-Mahalla al-Kubra City. On 2 July 2003, he was arrested by the head of the al-Mahalla al-Kubra investigations unit (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), and detained for three weeks at al-Mahalla al-Kubra Police Station. Part of his detention was spent in a room known as the "fridge" (an empty room where investigations are carried out). He was injected in the sole of his right foot with a dirty hypodermic needle, from which he contracted blood poisoning and developed gangrene. He was taken to al-Mahalla al-Kubra District Hospital which transferred him to Samanoud Public Hospital. He died four days later after a serious drop in blood pressure caused by blood poisoning.
632. The Government informed that in June 2003, the investigations unit of Mahalla al- Kubra Police Station No. 1 arrested him on suspicion of a number of offences. He felt that his guilt was about to be discovered and so he used a hypodermic needle to inject himself with human waste (excrement) in order to pressurize the investigations unit into releasing him. The station did in fact release him without taking any legal action against him, because it was alarmed by the deterioration in his health. On 30 June 2003, he was taken to several public hospitals in Mahalla al-Kubra and Samnud after his right leg had become infected and had developed gangrene as a result of the injection. He was admitted for treatment to Samnud General Hospital. On 6 July 2003, he died in hospital, after developing blood poisoning.
633. Rady Mostafa Ahmed Nassar, a tinsmith, al-Mahala al-Kubri. On 15 October 2003, he was arrested by the al-Mahal al-Kubra Judicial Verdicts Implementation Unit Nassar in pursuance of an earlier verdict against him, and taken to the transfers section of Tanta Police Station No. 2. On 18 October, he was taken to the Khalfiyya Transfers Section, Cairo. The following morning his brother went to enquire about him but police officers denied that he was in their custody. He was found in the al-Sahal Police Station in extremely poor health with wounds behind the right ear and back. He was kept in iron shackles until he was close to death, and upon the insistence of his family he was taken to al-Khazandara Hospital, where he died upon arrival on the evening of 19 October.
634. The Government informed that on 15 October 2003, he was arrested by the judgements’ enforcement unit of Mahalla al-Kubra Police Station No. 1. He was taken to the Khalifah transfers section in Cairo and handed over to Sahil Police Station for the completion of the requisite legal formalities. While being held in a cell at Sahil Police Station, he became very ill. He was taken by ambulance to Sahil Teaching Hospital, where he died upon arrival. Some of the persons Sharing his cell were questioned, and said that he had suddenly felt ill, but that none of the station officers had harmed him in any way. Medical certificates were also found in his clothing, indicating that he had had a history of chronic illness. When no evidence of foul play was found following a medical exam, the Department of Public Prosecutions gave permission for the deceased to be buried.
635. Mahmoud Mohamed Tamman, age 65, Ain Shams, Cairo. On 27 October 2003, policemen in plain clothes entered his home in order to arrest his oldest son. An officer of the Police Investigations Unit (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur) beat him with a pistol on his chest until he lost consciousness. The family was prevented from seeking medical assistance for him, and he died shortly. The police arrested family members, and forced his son to make a statement saying that his father had died from natural causes, in return for the release of those detained.
636. The Government informed that on 27 October 2003, the investigations unit of Marj Police Station attempted to arrest his son for setting a fire. As he was being arrested, several of his family members crowded around to try to help him to escape and to prevent the officers from making the arrest. There was pandemonium at the scene and Mahmoud Mohamed Tammam had a heart attack and died on the spot. According to the results of the autopsy the cause of death was a sudden drop in blood pressure and acute respiratory failure brought on by a coronary embolism. The Department of Public Prosecutions gave its permission for the body to be buried. None of the members of the family accused any of the personnel of Rawd al-Farj Police Station of having caused the man’s death or of assaulting him.
637. Samir Ezzat Salah al-Sherif, age 20, al-Daqhilayya. On 12 December 2003, he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of assault, brought to the Sherbeen Prosecution Office, and remanded in custody at Sherbeen Police Station for the duration of the investigation. In detention he was subjected to electric shocks and burned with cigarettes by the officers. He was also punched, kicked, hung from a door after being stripped naked, and beaten with a stick. He suffered burns to the right hand and left palm, extensive bruising to the back, injuries to the nose, and loss of movement in both feet. On 15 January 2004, he was transferred to Sherbeen Hospital, which refused to accept him because of his severe injuries. He was returned to the police station where he remained without receiving any medical treatment until his death on 19 January 2004.
638. The Government informed that on 19 January 2004, while he was being held in a prison cell at Sherbeen Police Station, he became very ill and was taken to the public hospital, but he died there, after being examined by some hospital doctors. An autopsy found the cause of death to be a sudden drop in blood pressure, acute respiratory failure and heart failure. The persons who shared his cell at the police station testified that he had not been eating because he had become traumatized and agitated after learning that the victim of his crime had died. The case is still being examined by the courts.
639. Mohamed As-Sayed Nagem, age 30. Confined to a wheelchair, on 31 December 2003, he was arrested and taken to state security headquarters in Benha. He was detained until 7pm on 6 January 2004. At the time of his release he was in a coma and died the following morning. No investigation has been carried out.
640. The Government informed that on 31 December 2003, he was arrested and brought in for questioning in connection with a case of extremism and terrorism. He was released on 5 January 2004, after the questioning had been completed. He died on 7 January 2004 at his home. He had a history of chronic illness.
641. Mohamed Hassan Hassan Abdallah, a 55 year-old watchmaker, Ein Shams, Cairo. On 3 January 2004, he was arrested and taken to Azbekeya Police Station. He died at dawn the next day custody. The family found the following injuries on his body: bruising and injuries to the scalp, neck and back.
642. The Government informed that on 3 January 2004, he was arrested by the investigations unit of Azbakiyah Police Station for possessing a bladed weapon and for being unsteady on his feet after consuming alcohol. While he was being taken to a cell at the station, he got into a fight with a police officer and assaulted and injured him. The officer pushed the man away in self-defence and the accused fell and hit his head against an iron door, injuring himself. He was taken to the Coptic Hospital for treatment, but died there. The Department of Public Prosecutions decided to detain the officer and to open an investigation.
643. As-Sayyed Moustafa Moussa, a 35 year-old coffee shop employee, Giza. On 15 February 2004, he was arrested by a Detective of al- Baragil Police Station (whose name is known to the Special Rapporteur), pursuant to an earlier sentence issued for fraud, and was taken to Awsim Police Station. He was beaten during his arrest, and in detention he was punched and kicked in order to force him to inform the police officers of the whereabouts of his wife, who also had a prison sentence issued against her. He suffered injuries to his right ankle. On 19 March 2004, he was taken to Aswim General Hospital for treatment and returned to the police station the same day. He died on 21 March. The family found injuries to his back when they came to collect his body for burial.
644. The Government informed that on 21 March 2004, he died in a cell at Awsim Police Station, Giza.The medical examiner identified the cause of death as inflammation of the left leg (elephantiasis). No evidence was found of foul play.
Urgent appeals
645. On 8 April 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and the Special Rapporteur on the right to health regarding Ahmed Hussein Mustafa Kamil Agiza. He was reportedly sentenced in absentia by a military court to 25 years in prison and forcibly returned to Egypt by the Swedish Government on 18 December 2001 (cited in a previously transmitted communication, E/CN.4/2003/68/Add.1, para. 461 and 462). According to the allegations received, since then, and despite the diplomatic assurances received by the Government of Sweden from the Egyptian Government, concerning the treatment of Ahmed Agiza in accordance with international human rights standards, he has been tortured and subjected to ill-treatment, and continues to be at risk thereof. Upon arrival in Egypt in December 2001, he was held incommunicado for five weeks at the State Security Department. Here he was kept in an underground room and forced to write what was dictated to him at risk of beatings and electric shock if he objected. He was forced to lie naked on a mattress made of sponge while his hands and feet were tied and electric shock was applied to him. During the treatment, a doctor applied cream to the burns to minimize scarring. Following his transfer to Istiqbal Tora Prison, he was detained in a very small cell that was bare and unlit. For long periods, Ahmed Agiza was handcuffed and not permitted to use the toilet. Later, he was permitted to use the toilet once every 24 hours. He was threatened with further torture if he revealed his treatment to anyone; the threats were carried out on one occasion when he did reveal his treatment to the visiting Swedish Ambassador; and he subsequently chose to remain silent. On 19 February 2004, Ahmed Agiza was transferred suddenly and without any notice to Abu Zaabal Prison outside Cairo. He was told that he was going to be examined by doctors at a general hospital in Cairo. For a few days his whereabouts were unknown and he had no visitors until 8 March, when the Swedish authorities visited him. It is reported that Ahmed Agiza’s condition was so poor that the authorities requested another visit within two weeks. Ahmed Agiza’s mother has been denied visits at Abu Zaabal despite repeated attempts. Ahmed Agiza suffers from an ulcer and has severe back injuries which stem from or have worsened since his detention. He is in need of surgery and medication. Medical treatment in prison has been withheld periodically as a form of ill-treatment. While he has been examined by doctors for his back ailment, they have not carried out examinations with respect to allegations of torture. Ahmed Agiza has only met with his lawyer once in over two years. On 3 April, it was announced that a new military trial has been scheduled to take place on 10 April and Ahmed Agiza has not been permitted to consult with his lawyer.
646. By letter dated 7 May 2004, the Government informed that the sentence imposed on Ahmed Hussein Mustafa Kamil Agiza in military crimes case No. 98/8, concerning conspiracy to wage Jihad inside and outside of the country, is currently being reviewed in the light of the decision of the President to accept the petition filed by Mr. Agiza. Since his incarceration, Mr. Agiza has received visits from members of the Swedish diplomatic and consular services (21 visits), his family (53 visits) and his lawyers (four visits). Mr. Agiza is receiving continuous medical treatment and has been given medical examinations at the Manil University Hospital (38 times). He has also undergone medical tests (a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the spinal column; an ordinary X-ray of the urinary tract; a thyroid scan; a sinus scan and a muscle scan) and has had 14 sessions of medical therapy at the Liman Turrah Hospital. This man persists in flouting prison rules and regulations and recently, in February 2004, mounted a one-man protest against the management of the prison in which he is being held. There is no evidence to support the allegations in the complaint that this person has been tortured.
647. On 5 July 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, concerning H. S., a 17 year-old Coptic girl. According to the allegations received, on 6 April 2004, she was abducted in Cairo. On 7 April, the family reported the disappearance to Rod El Farag Police Station and told the police that a 30 year-old man could be related to her disappearance as she had complained that he had bothered her on the way school. Later the police told the family they had found H. S. and that the family could come and collect her. The father was allowed to meet H. S. and talk to her, but he found her agitated and verbally aggressive as if she was under the effect of drugs. She said she was afraid of going back to her family. Then the police took H. S. and her father to the magistrate at the National Security Office, where she was questioned about the suspected perpetrator. She claimed that he was her husband and that she converted to Islam. She was then taken back to the police station. On 8 April, H. S. was brought back to her family and on 14 April, the family moved to Alexandria, fearing for their safety. On 2 June, H. S. disappeared again, and the family has received no news from her since. The police did not take any action to investigate the allegations of abduction or forced marriage and did not provide the family with proper protection and security.
648. By letter dated 20 September 2004, the Government informed that on 7 April 2004, her father reported to Rawd al-Farj Police Station that she had gone missing on 6 April after leaving home. He indicated a possible suspect, who was questioned by the police, and who denied any involvement in her disappearance or information of her whereabouts. According to the Darb al-Ahmar police station report of 7 April, H. S. had gone to the station to give a statement in which she declared that, on the previous day, she had left school and gone to Al- Azhar in order to complete the procedures for formal conversion to Islam. She had been asked to go to the police station to register her decision. She denied that anyone had tried to influence her, or persuade, or force her to convert. She was therefore not abducted, but left on her own accord, and was not forced to marry a Muslim or change her religion. She had been sent with a copy of the report to the Rawd al-Farj police station so that she could be delivered into her parents’ care. On 7 April, her father was summoned, and around , H. S. was handed over to her father, after the family provided an undertaking that they would not harm her. At 11:30pm, H. S.and her father, accompanied by a policeman returned to the station. The policeman reported that a girl had appealed for help after her relatives tried to force her against her will to enter the church. She confirmed the policeman’s statement. She was handed to her family for a second time with an undertaking that they would not harm her. The police fully discharged their responsibilities, having delivered the girl into her family’s care, in the presence of a Christian clergyman. On 3 June 2004, her relatives again made inquiries about her whereabouts. Investigations have failed to establish this and are continuing. It is clear that the girl’s habit of running away from home is due to the ill-treatment inflicted by her relatives because of her conversion.
649. On 16 July 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, regarding regarding the El Nadim Centre for the Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence. The Centre was founded in 1993 by a collective of doctors and psychiatrists, and operates as a clinic registered with the Doctor’s Syndicate. It provides treatment and rehabilitative services to victims of torture by police and security forces as well as victims of domestic violence. It also assists victims by bringing their cases to the attention of relevant authorities and by pursuing criminal charges against the perpetrators. According to the allegations received, on 11 July 2004, agents of the Ministry of Health entered the Cairo offices of the El Nadim Centre and confiscated documents, including patient files and the Centre’s publications and took photographs of the premises. Their behaviour was aggressive and threatening. The agents of the Ministry of Health later filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health accusing the El Nadim Centre of using the clinic for prohibited purposes.
650. By letter dated 20 September 2004, the Government informed that persons against whom the complaint was brought denied the allegations and added that they had carried out the inspection pursuant to article 11 of the Regulation of Medical Institutions Act No. 51 of 1981. The inspectors said that they enjoy the same status as investigating officers. They reported a number of infractions: the state of the premises did not meet the required hygiene standards; the centre had a doctor whose name was not registered on its operating license; it had no technical director; and it published books and material even though it was not authorized to do so under article 10 of the 1981 Act. Some photographs were taken as corroboration of the infractions. The inspectors’ report had been sent to the Chief of the Cairo Health Sector, who transmitted some of the documents to the Ministry of Health. Legal measures were taken to the effect that remedial action within one month was required otherwise the license would be revoked. The centre had been inspected on 24 August 2004 to verify whether the infractions had been remedied. It was closed down and then inspected again on 31 August, when it was found to have remedied most of the infractions. Investigations are continuing.
Follow-up to previously transmitted communications
651. By letter dated 7 May 2004, the Government provided information concerning Amal Faroug Mohammad al-Maas (E/CN.4/1999/61, para. 193, and E/CN.4/2001/66, para. 425). The Government informed that in 1996, she was arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities. There is no evidence to support the allegations.
652. By letter dated 25 May 2004, the Government provided further information
concerning Ashraf Ibrahim (E/CN.4/2004/56/Add.1, para. 574, 597). The Government
informed that he was acquitted by court ruling of 6 March 2004.
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El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
This report has been published by Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights on July 27, 2005.