PUBLIC BEATING BY EDF SOLDIERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000025 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS DEPT FOR AF/E, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018 TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS ER SUBJECT: PUBLIC BEATING BY EDF SOLDIERS Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Embassy source informed A/PolOff that she witnessed the severe beating of a young Eritrean male in the compound of a small military camp near the Orota Hospital in Asmara on the evening of January 11, 2008. The exterior gates of this military compound are always partially open due to the flow of people. Dozens of passersby and neighbors gathered at the gate after hearing sounds of screaming coming from the compound. ¶2. (C) The witness said the man was tied into a helicopter position (face down, arms tied and bent behind the back, and legs tied and pulled up toward the head). At least four soldiers in military uniform were kicking, stomping, and hitting him, probably (according to source) because he was a deserter from their unit. Soldiers stationed at the camp told members of the crowd that the soldiers conducting the beating were not from their unit and were unknown to them. The crowd pleaded with the soldiers to stop, but the beating continued for nearly four hours. The man's current condition is unknown. MCMULLEN