Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA25
2008-01-16 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
PUBLIC BEATING BY EDF SOLDIERS
how-toVZCZCXRO3797 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0025 0161335 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 161335Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9388 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1572 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1750 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
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)
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
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