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Press Release
Palestinian Dies in PNA Police Custody in Gaza
Date: 24/04/2002
Ref: 62/2002
On 24 April, Ayman Ghayad Hilles, 36, from al-Shajaeya neighbourhood in Gaza, died while in the custody of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) police in Gaza city.
Hilles, married and the father of 9, was arrested by PNA civil police in Jabalya on 23 April and transferred to the police station in al-Shajaeya. At approximately 01.30 on 24 April, his body was transferred to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city. At 02.30, PNA police informed the family of his death in custody. According to family members, PNA police said that Hilles had been arrested for criminal reasons and that an investigation would be carried out to determine the circumstances of his death.
At the request of the family of the deceased, an autopsy was carried out at al-Shifa hospital. The autopsy was witnessed by: Dr. Nafez Shallah, Director of al-Shifa Hospital; Dr. Hassan Abu Tawileh of al-Shifa Hospital; Iyad al-Alami, Coordinator of PCHR’s Legal Unit; and members of the family. A preliminary examination revealed large bruises on the legs and hands of the deceased, as well as signs of blunt trauma to the head, suggesting that Hilles had been tortured. The autopsy concluded that it was a case of suspicious death.
PCHR has called upon the PNA and the PNA Attorney General to:
Complete an investigation into the death of Hilles through the office of the Attorney General and try those found to be responsible
Investigate the circumstances under which Hilles was arrested and make public the results of such an enquiry
Take all necessary measures to ensure that detainees in PNA custody are not subject to torture
Take all necessary measures to guarantee that arrests are carried out only in accordance with the law
PCHR further calls upon the family of the deceased to observe the law and await the results of the investigation into Hilles’ death.
