E/CN.4/2000/9 page 132 medical officer to give evidence, and rejected. He later filed a complaint with the Department of Internal Police Investigations on 25 April 1996. The Government replied that an investigation was carried out and the claim was rejected. 671. Concerning Bashar Nazia Muhamad Tarabieh (ibid., para. 214), the Government replied that he had been arrested on 19 August 1996 on suspicion of two arson attacks. The Government replied that he had been released on the basis of insufficient evidence and that he had not filed a complaint concerning the manner of his interrogation. The Government assured the Special Rapporteur that if a complaint was filed, it would be duly investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. 672. Concerning Azam Isma'il Saim Arada (ibid., para. 215), the Government replied that he had been arrested on 17 October 1996 on suspicion of being an activist in a "PFLP" terrorist attack. The Government further replied that he had been interrogated for two weeks and released on 1 November 1996 on the basis of insufficient evidence and that he had not filed a complaint concerning the manner of his interrogation. The Government assured the Special Rapporteur that if a complaint was filed, it would be duly investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. 673. Concerning Iyad Abu Hamdieh (ibid., para. 216), the Government replied that he was arrested at an army checkpoint on 9 April 1996 together with his brother in connection with their involvement in terrorist attacks in which Israeli civilians had been killed. The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that during his arrest, Iyad Abu Hamdieh had complained of medical problems from which he suffered as a result of a previous road accident, but that it was discovered that he was lying. He was subsequently released on 2 June 1996 without charges, and the Government replied that he had not filed any complaint concerning the manner of his interrogation. The Government assured the Special Rapporteur that if a complaint was filed, it would be duly investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. 674. Concerning Ayman Mahmad Fiyad Kafishah (ibid., para. 218), the Government replied that, following his release from jail in August 1995, he had continued activities with "Hamas". The Government stated that he had been arrested on 5 April 1997 on suspicion of being involved in a suicide bombing at the Apropos restaurant in Tel-Aviv, in which three innocent civilians had been killed. After an interrogation in which he made a number of admissions, he was sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment. The Government further reported that during his interrogation, he filed three petitions to the Israeli High Court of Justice regarding the manner of his interrogation (2317/97, 2499/97, 267/97). The first petition was dismissed in Court and he withdrew the other two. The Government further replied that he had not filed any complaint concerning the manner of his interrogation. The Government assured the Special Rapporteur that if a complaint was filed, it would be duly investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. Observations 675. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the decision of the High Court of Justice on 6 September 1999 declaring unlawful the interrogation techniques involving "moderate physical pressure" and recognizing that they constitute torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, absolutely prohibited under international