'Cops took photos of naked ISA detainee'

Police had taken nude photographs of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Sami Hammad when interrogating him and then threatened to expose these, said lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri.

She alleged that this happened during the first 20 days following his arrest on Jan 21, 2011 on suspicion of human trafficking.

Sami, an Iraqi national, was allegedly interrogated by four officers at a police remand centre (PRC).

Fadiah (left), who is the Lawyers for Liberty coordinator, had visited Sami last Friday together with lawyer Farhana Abdul Halim, and revealed an initial account of the alleged torture.

Today, additional details were disclosed at a press conference.

Fadiah said that Sami, while held at PRC and for a further 39 days the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, had to endure:

• Being stomped on his left leg, which had been injured in an accident prior to his arrest

• Chilli paste being forced into his nose and mouth and anus, as well as this being smeared on the wooden plank on which he slept

• Being threatened with accusations that he was involved in terrorism

• Being beaten on many occasions, including with a rubber hose with one end tied into a knot

Sami was sent to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak on March 18 last year.

“Although these events took place a year ago,  they still weigh heavily on Sami’s mind,” said Farhana (right).

“When he told us his story, his tears flowed .... He also told us that, even during his service in the Iraqi army, he had never seen torture this severe.”

Sami, she added, has consistently denied any knowledge of the allegations against him.

‘End the silence’

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who was present, urged the Home Ministry to respond to the allegations.

He also said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein must respond to the demands of two other ISA detainees who are on the fifth day of their hunger strike, with more vowing to join after June 30.

Ideally, said Syed Ibrahim, they should be released or charged in court.

In the interim, the detainees should not be placed in solitary confinement or be subjected to other forms of punishment because they are only trying to protect their interests.

Mohd Fadzullah Abdul Razak and Razali started their hunger strike last Thursday to demand their release.

The remaining 43 detainees in Kamunting will join after the deadline they have set for the Human Rights Commission to persuade the Home Ministry to either press charges or free or deport them.