E/CN.4/2000/9 page 21 questioned. He said that he had not known Taptig Farkhadogly before 17 November 1996 and that he had not committed any unlawful acts towards him. The Government also stated that the investigation was halted on 28 January 1997 as it was impossible to identify those responsible for the offences committed. The decision to halt the investigation was annulled on 16 April 1997 by the Baku City Procurator but supplementary inquiries failed to produce positive results so the investigation was again halted on 6 May 1997. Nevertheless, inquiries were continuing. 76. Concerning Murshud Makhmudov and Abulfat Kerimov, the Government replied that criminal proceedings had been instituted by the Ministry of the Interior in connection with unlawful actions committed by the special police unit, OPON, under various provisions of the Criminal Code, in an attempted coup d'Etat on 17 March 1995. Murshud Makhmudov was detained on 13 April 1995 and Abulfat Kerimov on 17 April 1995. The Government stated that the preventive detention imposed on Murshud Makhmudov was modified on 27 February 1996, but that decision was later cancelled and he was re-arrested on 4 March 1996. Concerning Abulfat Kerimov, the Government stated that he was released from detention on 4 January 1996 but re-arrested on 17 April 1996. Both men were indicted under various provisions of the Criminal Code and the cases forwarded to the Supreme Court. Claims by either of the men of torture and other unlawful acts against them were not borne out by an investigation. According to the Government, both men had the opportunity to make statements freely during the investigation and acknowledged their participation in unlawful acts. Observations 77. Sharing the concern of the Committee against Torture, in its conclusions and recommendations following review of the country's periodic report, at "the numerous and continuing reports of allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment committed by law enforcement personnel" (CAT/C/23/5, para. 5), the Special Rapporteur has requested the Government to invite him to visit the country. Bahrain Regular communications and replies received 78. By letter dated 22 November 1999, the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information on the following cases. 79. Mohammed Al-Sayyah was reportedly detained from 5 April to 12 July 1995. He was allegedly tortured by a Jordanian officer (whose name is known by the Special Rapporteur) at the Al-Qal'a prison. He was reportedly subjected to electric shocks and was severely beaten on his private parts. He was also reportedly stripped naked and forced to sit on a bottle, resulting in an injury that caused him continuous suffering after his release. Asbestos mats were allegedly put in his solitary confinement cell and it is believed that this experience, in addition to the torture he received, resulted in three years of suffering. He reportedly died on 30 September 1998 at the Salmaneya Hospital, allegedly as a result of the treatment he was subjected to during his detention. 80. Salwa Hassan Haider, Hanan Salman Haider and Maryam Sa'id al-'Aradi, along with several other women, were reportedly detained from 2 to 4 November 1998, at which time several arrests were made in the village of Al-Daih by the