SIU received 13 complaints in May

Manama, June 6 (BNA): The Deputy Chairman of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Mohammed Khalid Al Hazza, said the unit in May received 13 complaints that included references to alleged torture, maltreatment, or excessive use of force by public security members. The unit took action by investigating in all the complaints, he said. The SIU in the past month heard the testimonies of 40 victims and witnesses in diverse cases and questioned 58 suspects from the public security forces. The SIU referred three of the complainants to the unit's forensic doctor to examine them and to state any injuries, and their causes, dates and methods, if any. It also referred two of the complainants to the unit's psychiatrist to examine them and to state whether they suffered from psychological impact related to their allegations. The SIU finalized its investigations into one of the cases received from the Ombudsman Office which included allegations of an inmate that he was attacked and beaten by a policeman as he was serving his sentence in the Reformatory and Rehab Directorate. The SIU ordered to refer the policeman to the fifth Lower Criminal Court and demanded to penalize him as per the provisions of clauses 75/4, 107/1, 339/1 and 2 of the Penal Code. The court decided to consider the case during its session on June 13.