E/CN.4/1993/26 page 94 none of those detained filed a complaint to the appropriate authorities alleging torture or ill-treatment. In that exceptional case the official responsible was tried and sentenced to one year imprisonment. 414. The Government also reported that rumours of torture started to circulate locally and abroad beginning in 1990. To be able to distinguish between genuine cases and mere fabrications by the opponents of the Government, section (40) of the National Security Act was amended. As a consequence of that amendment, the judiciary was authorized to investigate any allegation of torture or ill-treatment. A Supreme Court judge was named to receive and investigate such allegations. Furthermore, a lawyer from the Attorney-General's office was given accesss to all detention centres. He was authorized to enter any centre at any time and investigate any complaint of torture or ill-treatment. 415. The repealed Penal Code of 1983 did not contain a provision against torture or ill-treatment of detainees. For the first time torture and ill-treatment of detainees was made a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under section (115) of the 1991 Penal Code. The measures described clearly show the Government's determination to prevent the occurrence of torture and punish whoever violates that policy. 416. In addition to the above-mentioned, the Special Rapporteur made urgent appeals on behalf of the following persons, regarding whom fears were expressed that they might be subjected to torture. The dates on which they were sent appear in brackets at the end of the corresponding summary. 417. Ali Al-Mahi Al-Sakhi, a foundry worker and President of the banned Sudan Mint Workers' Trade Union, as well as Muawia Umran, a worker, were reportedly arrested for political reasons in the third week of November 1991 in Khartoum. Abdel Aziz Dafalla and Abul Hassan were reportedly arrested around the same time, apparently in connection with the circulation of opposition pamphlets in Khartoum. All four men were believed to be held without charge or trial in secret detention centres. It was also reported that other persons arrested since November 1989 and taken to secret detention centres had been subjected to torture. (20 December 1991) 418. Colonel Mustafa al-Tay and 40 other officers serving in the army and airforce were arrested in Khartoum and Omdurman on 2 February 1992, for taking part in an alleged coup attempt, and were said to be kept in detention centres run by the "security of the Revolution". It was also reported that people arrested and taken to those detention centres were very often subjected to severe torture such as being whipped and burnt by hot irons. (14 February 1992) 419. Awad al-Sharif, an engineer from Khartoum, arrested on 1 January 1992; Philip Akot Akok, once a member of the former Southern Sudan Regional Assembly and member of the Dinka ethnic group, arrested in mid-February 1992 in Khartoum; Adnan Zahir Surur, a lawyer, arrested in Khartoum around 12 February 1992; Kamal al-Gizouli, a lawyer and Secretary-General of the Sudanese Writers' Union, also arrested in Khartoum around 12 February 1992; Makoi Wuol Manuer, head of the relocation programme of the Sudan Council of Churches and member of the Dinka ethnic group from Bahr al-Ghazal, arrested in