16 cases filed with the special investigation unit (SIU)

A total sixteen alleged torture and maltreatment complaints were filed last month (December2013) with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). SIU President Chief Prosecutor Nawaf Abdulla Hamza said that the panel launched an inquiry into the cases which included two complaints referred by the Interior Ministry's Ombudsman General Secretariat.In a statement today, he said that the panel heard 19 complainants and 19 witnesses and interrogated 4 policemen in connection with the filed cases. It has also commissioned the SIU coroner to examine 14 complainants and determine the cause and date of the alleged injuries.The panel, an affiliate of the Public Prosecution, has also commissioned the SIU psychiatrist to examine one of the complainants. Two policemen suspected of beating a number of accused will stand trial at the Lower Criminal Court respectively on January 6 and 26.Since its inception on February 2, 2012, the Special Investigation Unit has referred 51 policemen to specialised courts to stand trial – including 8 officers. The panel charged them with beating to death, extracting information under duress, causing a durable disability and physical assault.