E/CN.4/1991/17 page 55 reportedly been detained without charge or trial in the military interrogation branch in Damascus. According to the information received all four were suffering from injuries, allegedly resulting from torture and from ailments contracted as a result of prolonged detention and poor prison conditions. In particular, it was reported that Diab Muhammad Mustafa was suffering from septicaemia (blood poisoning) and that his life was feared to be in danger. It was also alleged that all four had been denied medical treatment, as well as family visits since their arrest. 171. On 28 May 1990 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Syrian Government concerning Samir Haddad, a civil engineer aged 33, and Youssef Ghaith, a student aged 27. Both were reportedly arrested at the end of March 1990 in Yabrud (Al-Nabk), north of Damascus, by members of the political security force. Both were reported to be held at present in unknown detention centres. Samir Haddad was reportedly admitted to hospital in Damascus in a grave condition due to an acute kidney failure. Serious concern has been expressed regarding both men's physical integrity following reports that another man who was arrested with them, named as Munir Fransis, a civil engineer aged 30, died in Al-Muwassa!a civil hospital in Damascus on 14 or 15 April 1990 after suffering internal bleeding, allegedly as a result of torture. 172. On 27 July 1990 the Government replied that the competent authorities have indicated that the two above-mentioned persons were arrested on security grounds and have been duly referred to the competent courts. Urgent appeals and Government replies 173. On 10 January 1990 the Government of Turkey sent a letter to the Special Rapporteur in reply to his urgent appeal dated 11 December 1989 (E/CN.4/1990/17, para. 162), providing detailed information on the circumstances of arrest and charges against the persons mentioned in the appeal (except for Musa Erdogan, who was not known to the relevant security authorities), and several others who were not mentioned in the appeal but were also taken into custody on similar charges. It is affirmed that following a thorough examination of the situation of these persons it was established that they had not been subjected to any form of ill—treatment. 174. On 24 January 1990 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Turkey concerning nine persons, six women and three men, who were detained on 9 January 1990 by members of the security forces in Ankara, and have since been held in incommunicado detention at Ankara police headquarters. The female detainees were reported to be members of the Association of Democratic Women (DEMKAD). Their names were reported as follows: Hatice Arikan (President of Demfcad), Meryem Topcu, Solmaz Pekin, Gamze Unal, Zehra Pekin and Aytul Yaganoglu. The three men were Ufuk Gurbuz, Yavuz Kilic and Metin Turan. It was alleged that the detainees had been interrogated under torture, particularly during the first days of detention. It was further alleged that the male detainees in particular had been subjected to severe torture. Ufuk Gurbuz, who was said to be suffering from a kidney disease, was allegedly stripped naked, hosed down with cold water and given electric shocks.