SIX policemen have been jailed in separate cases on various charges in the fourth quarter of last year, it has been revealed.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates allegations of police misconduct, said it had received 27 complaints in the period, ranging from mistreatment to torture of suspects or prisoners.
The unit then investigated the allegations and questioned 36 suspect policemen.
“The SIU received in the last quarter of last year 27 complaints, with allegations ranging from mistreatment to torture by policemen,” said SIU member Nasser Al Shayb yesterday.
“The SIU investigated all the complaints, heard testimonies from 37 people and 46 witnesses in addition to questioning 31 police suspects.
“Eleven of the complainants were sent to a medical examiner provided by the SIU, while four of them were referred to the Psychiatric Hospital.”
Mr Al Shayb
On completion of the investigations, six policemen, including a first-lieutenant, were jailed in connection with three separate cases by the Lower Criminal Court.
“A policeman was jailed for 12 months by the Lower Criminal Court on December 11, 2019 in connection with assaulting a person,” said Mr Al Shayb.
“The same court also jailed five policemen, including a first-lieutenant, for three months in connection with assault.”
In addition, two policemen received a punishment after being sent to the military court at the Interior Ministry.
“In some cases the unit sends the defendants for punishment at the Military Court in the Interior Ministry.”
Mr Al Shayb added that the SIU also hosted workshops and conferences about human rights in co-ordination with the United Nations Development Programme.
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