Yemen: Moroccan national hospitalised following hunger strike

Hicham Gherras, a 43-year-old Moroccan national, was arrested by Political Security agents on 18 February 2011 in Sanaa. Despite promises that he would be freed, he is currently detained and subject to torture. Subsequently, he began a hunger strike on 10 April 2011 and has since been hospitalised.

On 20 April 2011 Alkarama addressed an urgent appeal to the Special Rapporteur on Torture, requesting his intervention with the Yemeni authorities in order that he be freed immediately - or at least that he be charged a competent legal authority.

Mr. Hicham Gherras (هشام غراس) lives in Rabat, Morocco, and is the Director of Sunset Trade & Services. He went to Yemen on business on 12 February 2011 and was arrested a few days later by plainclothes Political Security agents at his hotel in Sanaa.

Since his arrest, he has been held without charge and never appeared before a judge. And despite being interrogated regarding his professional activities, he has never been accused. Moreover, he was supposed to be freed after being told he would not be charged.

Despite these promises, Hicham Gherras is currently being held under inhumane conditions. On 10 April 2011 he started a hunger strike in protest of the conditions of his detention. As a result, he was recently been taken to the emergency room at Sanaa hospital due to a rapid deterioration in his health.