Algeria: Fear of incommunicado detention/Torture or ill-treatment: Deportee from U.K.

[Al-khiyal]

Amnesty International

Algeria: Fear of incommunicado detention/Torture or ill-treatment.

Algerian asylum-seeker deported from U.K. (m)

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 28/012/2007

12 June 2007

UA 146/06 Incommunicado detention/Torture or ill-treatment

ALGERIA Algerian asylum-seeker (m), known as "X"

An Algerian asylum-seeker, known only as "X" for legal reasons, was deported to Algeria from the United Kingdom (UK) on 6 June. Since then he has been held incommunicado, and Amnesty International fears that he is in the custody of the Department for Information and Security (Département du renseignement et de la sécurité, DRS), where he is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

A lawyer and two representatives from the UK Embassy in Algeria were waiting for him when he landed at the airport in the capital, Algiers. He was reportedly able to pick up his luggage, but has not been seen or heard from since.

It is assumed that he was arrested by the DRS, a branch of Algerian military intelligence which specializes in interrogating people thought to possess information about terrorist activities. "X" is likely to be detained in a military barracks in Algiers, part of which is used as a secret detention centre, where DRS detainees are usually held incommunicado. Amnesty International has received persistent reports of torture and other ill-treatment of people held incommunicado by the DRS.

"X" arrived in the UK in 1994 and later applied for asylum. In 2002 he was granted indefinite leave to remain. In January 2003, he was arrested on terrorism-related charges. However, his trial later collapsed and he was eventually acquitted of all charges. In September 2005, "X" was rearrested under immigration powers and detained pending deportation to Algeria on "national security" grounds on the basis of secret information, including intelligence material, never disclosed to him or his lawyers of choice. In January 2006, in desperation at the conditions of his protracted detention in a high-security prison in the UK, "X" decided to withdraw his appeal against his deportation to Algeria.

"X" reportedly suffers from depression, and was receiving medical attention while in the UK. It is not known whether he now has any access to medical assistance.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Anyone suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, or who is believed to possess information about terrorist activities in Algeria or abroad, faces a real risk of secret detention and torture in Algeria. Amnesty International has received dozens of reports of detainees treated in this way, among them people who had returned to Algeria from overseas, either voluntarily or at the hands of foreign governments.

Under Article 51 of the Algerian Criminal Procedures Code, detainees suspected of "terrorist or subversive acts" may be held without charge for a maximum of 12 days. The arresting authorities must immediately give them the opportunity to communicate with their families and to receive visits from them. In addition, any detention beyond four days has to be authorized in writing by the public prosecutor.

[Al-khiyal]

Amnesty International

Algeria: Further information on incommunicado detention/Torture or ill-treatment.

Algerian asylum-seeker (m)

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 28/013/2007

20 June 2007

Further Information on UA 146/07 (MDE 28/012/2007, 12 June 2007)
Incommunicado detention/torture or ill-treatment

ALGERIA Algerian asylum-seeker (m), known as "X"

"X", who was arrested on 6 June after he was deported from the UK, was released without charge on the morning of 16 June. He was able to join his wife, who is currently in Algiers.

He had been held incommunicado for 10 days, and did not know where he was. He is believed to have been in the custody of the Department for Information and Security (Département du renseignement et de la sécurité, DRS).

Amnesty International was able to speak with "X" after his release. He said he was treated well and his daily interrogations were carried out in a dignified manner. He also said that he neither sought to know where he was being detained nor asked to contact his family or lawyer in the UK. "X" reported that he provided the DRS with medical certificates regarding his state of health, and was able to take the medicines he needed. However, Amnesty International notes that, in its experience, the fact that someone has just been released from DRS custody will weigh heavily on their mind when they speak about their treatment in detention, in case they expose themselves to possible retribution.

Amnesty International believes that "X" is not now at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.