The Government of
The Malawian national has been in prison for about 15 months on allegations that he misappropriated funds for his company - just five months after been recruited.
Concerned with reports of torture
Both
The Malawian was arrested in
The suspect was working as finance manager for an oil company--
When contacted, Mdeza confirmed the arrest, but could not respond to further questions, including allegations of torture, saying the matter was in court.
Both the suspect and his lawyer refused to be named, citing security concerns in
The lawyer alleges that his client has been in ill-health due to the torture, which includes beating, starvation and denied access to medical services at the hands of
"Throughout the time the suspect has spent in the custody of the NSS, he has reportedly been subjected to beatings. AI is especially concerned about the role of the NSS, whose use of torture and other ill-treatment against detainees has been well documented by AI and other organisations," said Vongai Chikwanda, AI southern
Both United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Malawi) and AI say they have engaged both governments to ensure speedy trial for the suspect and that allegations of torture are investigated.
Apart from torture, the international rights groups are also concerned that the suspect has appeared in court more than once without meaningful hearing, usually due to excuses from the State.
In one email
In another email in November last year, the Ministry apologized to the family that government was unable to send an envoy due to financial challenges.
"We have advised the family what to do in order to obtain accurate information on this matter and in a manner that does not jeopardise the safety and interest of our citizen who is in detention," said Chaponda.
While government is in doubt both
"It is sad that our government does not seem willing to help. Who can help then? We have tried every means to have him tried fairly but nothing is happening so far. Each time he goes to court there is an excuse; one time the state did not turn up for lack of fuel and on another day the judge was reportedly sick and now we are told the judge is on holiday. We are worried of his future under such torturous conditions" said a desperate family member.
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