12 died in police custody in November: El-Nadeem Centre

Adham Youssef
2 Min Read

The El Nadeem Centre for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence documented tens of torture cases inside prisons in November, in a report issued on Wednesday, amid rising cases of torture by police officers.

The report detailed cases of torture inside prisons, forced disappearances, and inadequate healthcare inside detention facilities, among other police violations committed against prisoners across Egypt.

Nine cases were reported to have died due to torture, the report said, while three died due to insufficient medical care.

The report also counted 63 “extra-judicial” killings nationwide, including those of 15 African nationals, and another five killed during the month in Sinai.

The 63 victims also included alleged militants in Sinai, who are usually reported killed by security forces. However, details are generally not shared with the media, nor disclosed by officials.

The centre cited multiple sources, such as personal testimonies by the families of detainees, rights organisations statements, and news reports.

The last days of November witnessed torture cases in Luxor and Ismailia, where the police were accused of torturing two citizens to death.

Torture, which is believed by many activists and politicians to be one of the many violations that fuelled the 25 January revolution, is an accusation often denied by the Interior Ministry.

Minister of Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffar previously said reported torture cases are “individual acts”, and that the ministry has a strong disciplinary system.

Torture cases have been reportedly increasing since 30 June 2013. According to the government-affiliated National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), all reported torture cases are of political prisoners.

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