1 February 1997

This morning, at 10:00 a.m. Yussef Ismail al Baba, 32 years old, died from wounds inflicted from torture during interrogation by the Palestinian Military Intelligence. Mr. al Baba was arrested on 3 January, ostensibly about an improper property sale. His car was confiscated as well, on the day of his arrest.

Early this morning, a lawyer for LAW heard about the transfer of Yussef al Baba from the Nablus prison to hospital, and attempted to see him before 10:00 (the time of death). He was refused permission to see Mr. al Baba, and has since been refused permission to see the body. Currently there is an autopsy underway.

According to affidavits by witnesses given to lawyers for LAW, al Baba underwent severe torture under interrogation and sustained serious injuries. Palestinian security services have been known to use many methods of torture, including severe beatings, burning with cigarettes or hot irons and sleep deprivation.

Nine Palestinians thus far have been killed as a result of torture under interrogations. Mr. al Baba is the first killed since the brutal slaying of Mahmoud Jumyal, who was killed on 30 July by Palestinian Coastal Police also in the prison in Nablus.

LAW’s lawyer is now in the hospital in Nablus, standing by for further information. LAW will send an update to this report as soon as the autopsy is complete and more information is available.