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Detained Nigerian blogger reportedly tortured by police
by Scott Gilbreath ~ October 28th, 2008
The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) of Nigeria has expressed serious concern about the condition of Jonathan Elendu (at right), the blogger who has been held incommunicado since his arrest on 18 October. HURIWA has been told that Mr Elendu is being physically and psychologically tortured by state security police.
Elendu has been held in solitary confinement by the State Security Service (SSS) for over nine days and without charge.
He was arrested at the Abuja International Airport on arrival from the U.S. last week.
According to the National Coordinator of HURIWA, [Emmanuel] Onwubike, “Elendu’s counsel, Ugo Muoma, informed us that although no contact has been established with the blogger since his arrest nine days ago, he was however reliably informed that Elendu was being kept in inhuman conditions and tortured to either disclose the sources of the several embarrassing news reports on prominent political leaders in Nigeria.
“He was also being reportedly pressured into framing up some others.”
Apparently afraid of poisoning, Elendu is said to have gone without food and water for the past nine days, and has vowed to continue the hunger strike until he is released.
In a separate statement, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties also expressed outrage about Elendu’s condition and called for his immediate and unconditional release.
Under Nigerian law, suspects must be charged within 24 hours of arrest.
h/t: Nigerian Curiosity
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October 30th, 2008 at 02:21 PM
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