E/CN.4/1993/26 page 78 345. In addition to the above-mentioned, the Special Rapporteur made urgent appeals on behalf of the following persons. The dates on which they were sent are mentioned in brackets at the end of the corresponding summary. 346. Fazal Ahmed, a member of the National Democratic Party for Human Rights and the representative-elect for Maungdaw Constituency (2), was allegedly detained by military personnel in late June 1992 in Arakan State. Fears were expressed that he and two other unnamed parliamentarians-elect, reportedly detained at the same time, might receive physical mistreatment. (17 July 1992) 347. On 24 August 1992 the Government reported that Faizal Ahmed was arrested for his involvement in an attempt to plant a mine at a bridge near a golf course in Buthidaung. While under arrest he was not subjected to any type of torture or illtreatment. 348. Mohamed Ilyas, a local secretary of the National League for Democracy, from Myothugyi village near Maungdaw town in Arakan State, was allegedly taken into custody by army personnel on 16 June 1992 and beaten to death while under military detention on 19 June 1992. (17 July 1992) 349. On 24 August 1992 the Government reported that action was taken against Mohamed Ilyas for his involvement in an attempt to plant a mine at a bridge near the golf course in Buthidaung. Mohamed Ilyas was 65 and had a record of undergoing treatment for severe stomach pains long before legal action was taken against him. While under arrest, he complained of severe stomach pains and was given medical treatment. However, he succumbed to the illness. The allegation that he was beaten to death while under arrest was not true. 350. Maung Nay Yein Kyaw, student, Tamwe; Maung Tun Tun, student, Thaketa; Maung Naing Naing, student, Thaketa; Maung Soe Naing, student, Kyimindine; U Tin Tun, Bohtataung; U Tun Shein, palmist, Pazundaung; U Swe Tint, Kanbe. These persons were arrested on 8 June 1992 and interrogated at Mi-7 Detention Centre for several days. When they appeared at a court hearing at Hlaing court on 3 August, some of them appeared to bear the marks of physical abuse suggesting that they had been tortured. The court hearing was postponed until 17 August and the prisoners were being kept in a barracks within Insein jail. They would be charged under section 5 (j) of the Emergency Powers Act, 1950. Fears were expressed that they might be subjected to further ill-treatment. (12 August 1992) Pakistan Information transmitted to the Government 351. On 27 October 1992 the Special Rapporteur communicated to the Government of Pakistan that he had received information according to which prisoners held for political reasons in police custody are frequently subjected to torture. The purpose of torture appears to be the extraction of confessions, although in some cases torture has been used to obtain information on the political activities of opposition parties. Those responsible for torture are rarely brought to justice. The most commonly reported methods of torture include the use of fetters, beating with leather straps and hanging upside down.