Iraq: Man Dies in Police Drug Unit Custody

A 22-year-old man has died in police custody in Najaf, Iraq, after being detained for drug use. The man, Muhsin Ali Kani, was removed from a hospital in the southern city of Najaf while he was being treated for severe abdominal pain.

According to a family member, the authorities told them to retrieve Kani's body the following day. The Najaf General Directorate for Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs stated that Kani was detained after tests confirmed drug use and his disclosure to doctors that he swallowed four bags containing crystal methamphetamine.

However, Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the treatment of Kani while in custody. The organization's deputy Middle East director, Adam Coogle, stated that "any death in state custody raises questions around the treatment of a detainee, but detention while receiving medical treatment should sound alarm bells."

Human Rights Watch has called for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Kani's death. The organization has also raised concerns about the decision to remove Kani from medical care and transfer him to detention despite his apparent health condition.

## Investigation into Kani's Death

The investigation into Kani's death should be prompt, independent of those involved in the death, credible, and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing, Human Rights Watch said. The organization has spoken to Kani's uncle, who described the events leading up to Kani's death.

Kani's uncle stated that Kani went to Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital on June 25 seeking treatment because he was experiencing severe abdominal pain after swallowing four bags containing crystal methamphetamine. While Kani was at the hospital, a friend called to inform the family that his condition had deteriorated, prompting Kani's mother, brother, and uncle to go to the hospital.

The drug police arrived at the hospital and told the family that a doctor had informed them Kani was using drugs. Kani's uncle asked the officers to allow Kani to complete his medical treatment before taking any action against him, and they initially agreed. However, after he left the hospital, Kani's mother called to tell him that police had arrested Kani despite his deteriorating condition.

## Autopsy Report

The autopsy report found that the cause of death was methamphetamine overdose. The report also noted external abrasions to Kani's wrists, elbow, right forearm, and right knee. However, the independent expert agreed that the other injuries listed in the autopsy, including foam, conjunctive hyperemia, lip cyanosis, pulmonary congestion and edema, irritation and congestion of the stomach, and kidney congestion, "are all non-specific or the result of methamphetamine toxicity."

## Concerns about Police Treatment of Detainees

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in Najaf Police custody. A journalist from Najaf alleged that the police in Najaf have long been accused of torturing detainees, using a torture method locally known as *al-shawaya* (grill or rotisserie, in Arabic). The journalist also stated that former detainees described other forms of physical and psychological abuse and degrading treatment in custody.

## Calls for Accountability

Human Rights Watch has called for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Kani's death. The organization has also raised concerns about the decision to remove Kani from medical care and transfer him to detention despite his apparent health condition.

| Investigation Type | Status | | --- | --- | | Autopsy | Completed | | Investigation | Ongoing | | Charges | Not specified |

The public statement by Najaf's Anti-Narcotics Directorate, which referred to previous drug-related convictions involving members of the victim's family, is of great concern given that criminal responsibility is individual and all persons have the presumption of innocence, Human Rights Watch said.

"A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation is essential to establish the full facts, ensure accountability for any wrongdoing, and restore public confidence in the justice system," Coogle said.