By Mustapha Kamara
Prison Watch, a local human rights organisation, has demanded that an investigation be carried out into the death in police custody of a 21-year-old man “and bring the killers to justice”.
James Tamba Fasuluku died at the Approved School police station in Freetown about four months ago, after being allegedly tortured by police officers to obtain statements from him in connection with an alleged robbery matter in eastern Freetown.
At a press conference recently, the rights group's Programme Director said they wanted to ensure that justice was given to whoever deserved it, adding that the issues surrounding prisoners in police custody were of concern to them “because prisoners have a right to live and enjoy their fundamental human rights”.
Ahmed Jalloh said the situation surrounding the death of the 21-year-old skill worker was an unfortunate one as the deceased had died few hours after being taken in by the police for questioning.
“The issue of police brutality is becoming a serious concern that we as civil society need to raise alarm about,” he said, and added that “we demand justice for the allege murder”.
Jalloh expressed frustration over the manner in which the prisons department and the Sierra Leone police were dealing with matters.
A family member of the deceased also urged the government of Sierra Leone to ensure justice was given to the family of the deceased.
Though an autopsy carried out by the country’s only pathologist, Dr. Semeon Owizz Koroma showed the deceased died as result of “spinal cord injury, extensive fractures of the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae and blunt force injury of the neck”, the relative said the SLP was still in denial about what really killed their relative. He said that the police were sticking to earlier claims that he had hanged himself in his police cell.
(C) Politico 28/08/14
