E/CN.4/1993/26 page 98 9 March 1992 in Damascus in connection with the prohibited Nasserist Democratic Popular Organization. Ahmad Hassu, a Syrian Kurd and former medical student, was reportedly arrested on 17 March 1992 by members of Amn al-Siyassi, political security, in Damascus and believed to be held in their headquarters in al-Qassa' district in Damascus. Tammam al-Amin, and 'Abd al-Naser Hassu, students, were reportedly arrested in May 1992 by members of Amn al-Dawla. (2 September 1992) Togo Information transmitted to the Government 435. In a letter of 12 November 1992 the Special Rapporteur informed the Government that he had received reports that Captain Esso Charles Pello, secretary of the Togo armed forces and former head of intelligence services had been arrested at Lomé on 28 July 1992. He was said to have been taken to the gendarmerie in Kara in northern Togo where he had been beaten, deprived of food and given electric shocks. In consequence of this treatment he had had to be taken to hospital in a coma. Tunisia Information transmitted to the Government and replies received thereon 436. By letter dated 21 August 1992 the Special Rapporteur communicated to the Government that he had received information concerning the practice of torture in the country. As well as a number of individual cases. The Government replied to this letter on 19 November 1992. In addition, the Special Rapporteur made two urgent appeals on behalf of several persons who, according to the information received, were at risk of being tortured. The Government also replied to these appeals on different dates. (a) Information transmitted to the Government with regard to the practice of torture in general 437. According to the information received, torture or ill-treatment of detainees believed to have been active in the Islamist al-Nahda movement seems to be routine in the three main detention centres in Tunis: the police station of Bouchouchà, the national guard station at al-Aouina and in the cells at the Ministry of the Interior. Most cases of torture reportedly occur during the period of garde à vue detention which frequently extends beyond the 10-day maximum limit allowed under Law 87-70. Torture methods alleged include beating various parts of the body, especially the soles of the feet; suspension by the feet or in contorted positions such as the "roast-chicken" (in which the victim is trussed up and tied to a horizontal pole by hands and feet bound in front) or "aeroplane" (in which hands and feet are bound behind), usually accompanied by beating; electric shocks; insertion of bottles in the rectum and sexual abuse. 438. It was also reported that the Code de procédure pénale fails to spell out clear and speedy procedures to be followed in the event of torture allegations being made. The investigating judge is obliged merely to convey the allegation to the Procureur de la Republique and then proceed with