An investigation was opened after videos were posted on social networks in which police officers are accused of “mistreating” a teenager after his arrest in Algiers on Saturday during an anti-regime Hirak demonstration, police said on Sunday.
“After the broadcast of a video on social networks in which its authors claim that a minor was mistreated in a police station in Algiers, the security services of the wilaya (prefecture) informed the public prosecutor, who immediately ordered the opening of an investigation, “said the police in a statement, explaining that this investigation aimed to” inquire into the veracity of the statements contained in this video. “
The 15-year-old boy, who was questioned “in the presence of his mother” concerning accusations of “gathering on the public highway”, was “examined by a forensic doctor before being released”, clarified this source.
Twenty demonstrators arrested Saturday in Algiers were still in police custody on Sunday and were to be presented to the Algiers prosecutor’s office on Monday.
A video showing the visibly traumatized and sobbing teenager as he left the police station on Saturday night sparked outrage on social media.
According to several local media, he was the victim of “sexual touching” during his arrest.
“Said Chetouane reported, on his release, the worst abuse he suffered in a police station,” denounced the National Committee for the release of detainees.
In a second video posted Sunday on YouTube, the young boy says he was “mistreated” by police who “tried to rape him”.
Amnesty International has called for an “independent” investigation into allegations of torture against this minor.
“The conclusions of this investigation must be made public as soon as possible and those responsible must be brought to justice within the framework of a fair trial,” the Algerian section of this NGO said on Facebook.
The Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights renewed at the end of March its call for the opening of investigations and judicial investigations into cases of torture against Hirak activists.
Walid Nekkiche, a 25-year-old student, said during his trial in early February that he was “sexually and verbally assaulted” by members of the security services while in police custody. The general prosecutor’s office then launched an investigation, entrusted to military justice.
