Remarkable decrease in complaints lodged with SIU

Manama, Oct. 9 (BNA): Deputy President of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Mohammed Khalid Al Haza said the unit received in September seven complaints of alleged torture and maltreatment by public security forces. The unit launched its investigative procedures into all the complaints, he added, pointing out that the number of complaints lodged with the unit in September was the lowest in 2016. According to the statistics for September, the unit listened to the testimonies of 31 complainants and witnesses and questioned 29 suspects from the Public Security forces. It also referred one complainant to the unit's doctor for examination and another to a psychologist to find out if his allegations had any effect on his psychological condition. The unit also completed its investigation into a case in which a complainant allegedly claimed to have been beaten up by the police after being arrested in a criminal case. A member of the Public Security forces was referred to the Lower Criminal Court which demanded to punish him according to provisions 75/4, 107/1 and 339/1/2 of the Penal Code. The case will be heard on November 27. Regarding the unit's follow-up on cases referred to courts, the Lower Criminal Court on September 22 acquitted five defendants from the Public Security force. However, after studying details of the verdict, the unit decided to appeal the sentence for legal and objective reasons. The High Criminal Court of Appeal will hear the case on December 26.