PCHR calls for investigation into suspicious death of man in Palestinian Military Intelligence Custody

 

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Press Release

 PCHR calls for an investigation into the suspicious death of a man while in

Palestinian Military Intelligence Custody

  

Ref: 7/2001

Date: March 1, 2001

 On Tuesday, February 27, 2001, Salem Mahmoud Hussein El-Aqra’, 30, from Qabalan village near Nablus, died at the Al-Watani hospital in Nablus under suspicious circumstances. El-Aqra had been transferred to hospital five days previously following the deterioration of his health condition while under Palestinian Military Intelligence arrest in Nablus since February 6, 2001.

 There are fears that El-Aqra was tortured during interrogation.  According to eyewitnesses, there were marks on his head, blue coloration on his back, and injuries to his wrists and ankles. His family was not allowed to visit him until he was transferred to hospital on February 22, 2001.  The Palestinian National Authority has not released the results of the autopsy. 

 PCHR calls on the Palestinian National Authority and the Attorney General to:

        1.         Investigate the suspicious death of El-Aqra’;

       2.         Take crucial steps to stop arrests carried out by unauthorized parties under the Palestinian law; and

       3.         Ensure that all arrests are pursuant to Palestinian law.

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