CAT/C/55/D/553/2013 military conspiracy, Lieutenant Colonel J.C.N. attempted to strike him but was restrained by Lieutenant C.G. 2.17 On 14 February 2010, that is, 16 days after his arrest, he was brought before a judge for the first time. He was not represented by a lawyer. During the hearing, X informed the judge about the torture he had suffered during his arrest and detention. However, despite the seriousness of these claims, they were not reflected in the record or taken into consideration by the judge. No investigation was ordered, even though the signs of the torture were still visible. The complainant also asked to be examined by a doctor and to receive medical treatment, but that request was denied. He was placed in pretrial detention. 4 2.18 On 1 March 2010, a second hearing before a judge was conducted after the complainant lodged an appeal requesting provisional release. At that hearing, X again complained of the torture he had suffered, but no action was taken. He again asked to see a doctor, but that request was ignored, and he was kept in detention. 5 2.19 On 12 March 2010, the complainant was transferred to Mpimba Central Prison in Bujumbura. As at that date, he had still not received any assistance from a lawyer or any medical care, despite the critical condition he had been in when placed in detention. In Mpimba prison, X was again held in disturbing conditions, which were exacerbated by overcrowding. The cell in which he was placed with another prisoner measured about 8 m² and had only a small barred window. The food ration was 250 grams of beans and cassava flour per day. 2.20 On 16 March 2010, the complainant was summoned to the first hearing on the merits in the proceedings initiated against him for involvement in a military conspiracy. For the first time, he was assisted by a lawyer. Consideration of the case was, however, postponed to a later date. 2.21 On 17 March 2010, X’s health dramatically deteriorated following an attack of malaria. Believing that the problem was low blood pressure, the prison doctor put him on a drip to raise his blood pressure. The complainant was in fact suffering from high blood pressure, which the doctor realized only after completing the drip procedure. He was then prescribed a double dose of quinine-based treatment. A few minutes later, he lost consciousness for about 10 minutes. 2.22 Despite his critical condition, especially after the serious misdiagnosis, the doctor did not provide the complainant with any further medical care. It took another two days before the complainant, who was suffering from intense pain in his lower back, knee and the soles of his feet, was finally transferred to Prince Regent Charles Hospital in Bujumbura on 19 March 2010. 6 Shortly thereafter, however, he began to suffer from heart palpitations, muscle paralysis, severe headaches, impaired vision and dizziness, which required further cardiac and ophthalmological monitoring. 7 After two months in the hospital, his condition remained very serious. He was diagnosed with depression caused by post-traumatic stress. He was also diagnosed with post-traumatic neuropsychiatric disorders, which required monitoring. 8 __________________ 4 5 6 7 8 GE.15-16736 The complainant attaches herewith the detention order issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 February 2010. The pretrial detention order issued by the military court on 1 March 2010 is attached to the complaint. The complainant attaches herewith copies of the prescriptions written to treat his injuries, mental distress and malaria. The relevant medical files are attached to the complaint. Idem. 5/16