SIU received 24 complaints in the second trimester of 2019

Special Investigation Unit (SIU) member Mohammed Yousif Al Zubari revealed that the unit received 24 complaints during the second trimester of this year, stating that they ranged between torture and physical abuse. 

“We have heard the statements of 29 plaintiffs and 23 witnesses, while we have questioned 30 defendants and suspects from the security forces. We have referred 12 plaintiffs to the forensic doctor and two others to the psychiatrist in the unit,” he said in a statement.

He also revealed that the unit has completed its investigations in one of the cases, and based on the authority bestowed on the unit as per the decree issued to establish it, a public security member was referred to the military court at the Ministry of Interior to punish him for the offences he committed. According to the statement, another public security member was punished after he was tried in a case referred by the unit.

“As part of the unit’s belief in training and its importance for the development of any work, the unit organised last July in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme a specialised workshop on methods of criminal investigation and evidence collection, presented by a group of experts in this field. “It was held at the Judicial and Legal Studies Institution for three days with the participation of the members of the unit and a number of employees of the General Secretariat of Grievances.

“The workshop was held with the aim of exchanging ideas and visions, developing performance, gaining experience and enhancing the investigation procedures of the participating parties to reach the best levels in accordance with the relevant international standards,” Mr Al Zubari explained.