Mr. Mohamed Khalid Al Hazza, Acting Advocate General and Head of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), stated that the Unit had received 17 complaints during the first third of the current year. The allegations in these complaints varied between torture and ill-treatment. In affirmation of its role in protecting human rights within the criminal justice system, SIU promptly initiated the necessary procedures for all complaints.
Regarding statistical activity during the said period, SIU heard the testimonies of 36 complainants and witnesses, interrogated 49 accused and suspected members of the Public Security Forces, and referred 7 complainants to the Forensic and Psychiatric Medicine Division.
As for the outcomes achieved by SIU during the same period, investigations into one complaint alleging ill-treatment concluded with referring the accused to the Military Courts Directorate at the Ministry of Interior for the imposition of an appropriate disciplinary sanction, considering the proven legal violations requiring accountability. This action falls within the powers granted to SIU under its founding resolution and operational guidelines.
Additionally, disciplinary sanctions were issued against two members of the Public Security Forces in two separate cases, which SIU had previously referred to the Military Courts Directorate at the Ministry of Interior for appropriate disciplinary action.
