E/CN.4/1993/26 page 86 against the security of the State and not because of their ethnic origin. The procedure for provisional detention had been complied with. A judicial enquiry had been initiated into the conduct of members of the judicial police accused of the maltreatment of some them at the time of their arrest and was being reviewed at the Kigali court of first instance. Under the cease fire between the Government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front all the persons mentioned were released on 17 July 1992. Saudi Arabia Information transmitted to the Government and replies received thereon 391. The Special Rapporteur made urgent appeals on behalf of the persons mentioned below. The dates on which they were transmitted appear in brackets at the end of the corresponding summaries. 392. Muhammad al-Fasi, a Saudi Arabian businessman, was arrested in Amman on 2 October 1991 by Jordanian security forces and subsequently handed over to Saudi Arabian authorities. He was reportedly being held incommunicado at the General Investigation Directorate (al-Mabaheth al-'Amma) in Riyadh and was said to be frequently subjected to torture, such as beatings all over his body and falaga. He had also reportedly been shackled throughout his detention and blindfolded for extended periods. (14 February 1992) 393. On 10 March 1992, Maha Sa'ad-ul-Din Banat, a Syrian national, was sentenced to 200 lashes by the Sheriah Court of Expedient Affairs in Riyadh. Maha Banat was accused of adultery with Ahmed al-Zahrani, a man she claimed she did not know. Ahmed al-Zahrani, a Saudi citizen, was sentenced by the same court to three months in prison and 100 lashes. The administration of the lashings was postponed for the duration of the holy month of Ramadan. It was also reported that Maha Banat, her 15-year-old daughter Ansaf Banat and Ahmed al-Zahrani were arrested by members of the "Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" (CPVPV). The arrests took place in Riyadh on 12 February after an argument ensued between Ahmed al-Zahrani and Maha Banat, who accused him of propositioning her daughter. The quarrel caught the attention of a member of the CPVPV. Apparently in an attempt to deny the accusation, Ahmed al-Zahrani reportedly claimed that he had given Maha Banat 500 riyals for sexual favours. The three were taken to the CPVPV headquarters in al-Muraba' in Riyadh. During questioning, Ahmed al-Zahrani was allegedly beaten and made to sign a confession stating he had had a sexual relationship with Maha Banat. Ansaf Banat was also reportedly threatened and made to sign a confession to the effect that her mother knew Ahmed al-Zahrani. Ansaf was released after five hours while her mother remained in prison for four days, reportedly without food. Subsequently, the Shariah Court of Expedient Affairs in Riyadh charged Maha Banat and Ahmed al-Zahrani with adultery and passed the sentences. There were reportedly no defence lawyers or witnesses present and there was no possibility of appealing the court's decision. (13 April 1992) 394. With respect to this case, the Government reported, on 23 April 1992, that the allegation was fabricated. Had it been true, the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh would not have hesitated to get in touch with the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia.