Mr. Mohamed Khaled Al Hazza, Acting Advocate General and Head of the Special Investigation Unit, announced that the unit received nine complaints during the second third of this year. These complaints involved allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and excessive use of force by members of the Public Security Forces. The Unit has initiated its necessary procedures in all such complaints
In accordance with the unit’s instructions and the Istanbul Protocol, which emphasizes effective documentation and thorough investigation of such incidents, the unit listened to the testimonies of 28 complainants and witnesses. Additionally, 29 members of the Public Security Forces who were suspects or accused were interviewed, and seven complainants were referred to the Forensic Medicine and Psychological Support Division.
Regarding the unit’s accomplishments during the same period, investigations into one complaint of bodily harm led to the prosecution of a Public Security Forces member in the Minor Criminal Court, which, on July 4, 2024, sentenced him to three months in prison. The appellate court later upheld this ruling.
Moreover, the unit referred two members of the Public Security Forces to the Ministry of Interior’s Military Courts for appropriate disciplinary sanction. This followed the conclusion of investigations into two separate complaints that confirmed the validity of the claims against them, warranting disciplinary accountability.
On the other hand, the High Criminal Court of Appeal rejected the appeal submitted by one of the complainants – the plaintiff in the civil case – against the decision issued by the unit to dismiss the criminal case concerning his claim of being subjected to ill-treatment during his arrest by members of the Public Security Forces. In its rejection, the court clarified that the unit’s investigations were comprehensive and impartial, and that all necessary procedures were followed to ascertain the truth of the raised allegation.
