US calls for investigation into Rojava prisoner’s death
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United States on Thursday called for an investigation into the death of a Kurdish man whose family allege died under torture while in custody in northeast Syria (Rojava).
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of Amin Issa Al-Ali's death while in SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] custody. We call for an immediate and transparent investigation,” the US Embassy in Syria tweeted.
It added that those “responsible for abuse and mistreatment of detainees must be held accountable.”
Ali, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria (KDP-S), was arrested in Hasaka on May 22 and was reported dead 38 days later.
His family accused the authorities of killing him under torture. Photos published on social media of Ali’s body allegedly show burnt skin and a bleeding and swollen face.
Rojava authorities, who said Ali was arrested on charges of corruption and bribery, have denied the allegations, claiming the photos were photo-shopped and that he died from a stroke.
The forensic team who examined Ali’s body, in a press conference on Wednesday, confirmed the cause of death as stroke and said they did not notice any burn marks on his body, but are ready to do a re-examination.
The family said nine signs of torture were found by a doctor who wanted to stay anonymous because of “fear of authorities of the Autonomous Administration,” referring to the authorities in Rojava.
KDP-S on Tuesday called on the US and international human rights organizations to intervene and “investigate the circumstances of this heinous crime.”
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of Amin Issa Al-Ali's death while in SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] custody. We call for an immediate and transparent investigation,” the US Embassy in Syria tweeted.
It added that those “responsible for abuse and mistreatment of detainees must be held accountable.”
Ali, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria (KDP-S), was arrested in Hasaka on May 22 and was reported dead 38 days later.
His family accused the authorities of killing him under torture. Photos published on social media of Ali’s body allegedly show burnt skin and a bleeding and swollen face.
Rojava authorities, who said Ali was arrested on charges of corruption and bribery, have denied the allegations, claiming the photos were photo-shopped and that he died from a stroke.
The forensic team who examined Ali’s body, in a press conference on Wednesday, confirmed the cause of death as stroke and said they did not notice any burn marks on his body, but are ready to do a re-examination.
The family said nine signs of torture were found by a doctor who wanted to stay anonymous because of “fear of authorities of the Autonomous Administration,” referring to the authorities in Rojava.
KDP-S on Tuesday called on the US and international human rights organizations to intervene and “investigate the circumstances of this heinous crime.”