The Public Prosecution denied any mistreatment of detainees being held in custody at the Dry Dock prison. It issued a statement denying allegations posted on Al-Wefaq website and other political associations.
“A Public Prosecution team visited the prison and inspected the detainees’ conditions,” Senior Attorney-General Abdulrahman Al-Sayyed said. The inspection visit followed instructions issued by the Public Prosecutor.
The team inspected the conditions of inmates in section 9 – being the subject of allegations- and insured cells are adequately equipped. “The detainees have been supplied with copies of the Holy Quran, books, magazines, fruit and juice”, Al-Sayyed said.
The team also met inmates personally and ensured their safety, enquiring about their grievances. “All the inmates said that the prison administration followed usual incarceration procedures”, Al-Sayyed said, describing the situation of detainees as being normal.
He pointed out the demands made by some inmates to improve meals, give them more time to exercise, allow more than five of their relatives to visit them and give them the green light to watch TV till 1.30 am, up from midnight.
Two inmates claimed a prison guard pushed them while searching their rooms.
“Following this incident, the Public Prosecution directed the prison administration to address the detainees’ demands as stipulated in the law and submit a report in this regard”, Al-Sayyed said.
He pointed out that the Public Prosecution inspects prisons and detention centres regularly, in addition to undertaking surprise inspections.
“Allegations circulated online have not been confirmed during the inspection visits”, he said, stressing the need to ensure the truth.