E/CN.4/2001/66/Add.2 page 133 Carlos Roberto da Silva, Luiz Vieira da Silva, Cesar Roberto de Moraes, Reinaldo Ponciano, João Luiz Santana, Eduardo Pedro dos Santos, Sérgio Luiz Soares, Agnaldo Antonio da Silva, Oscar Manoel da Cruz, João Batista Viana, Cláudio Ernesto, Helio Massi Jr., João Ribeiro de Arruda, Pedro Antunes da Silva, Sandro Luiz Marinho, Givaldo Vieria da Silva and Robson Miguel de Lima, detained at Dr. Javert de Andrade Agricultural Penal Institution in Sao José do Rio Preto, were reportedly severely kicked, punched and beaten with clubs by military police officers who were allegedly conducting a search in the detainees’ cells on 8 March 1999. According to the information received, women and children who were visiting the detainees were submitted to degrading searches. 284. Herberto da Silva Batista was reportedly arrested in May 1999 and taken to the 85th district police station in São Paulo. During the court hearing, he allegedly fully confessed his participation in a crime. He was reportedly taken back to his cell and beaten by fellow inmates as a reprisal. His family is said to have increasingly noticed marks of severe illtreatment, such as injuries on his face and burn marks around his mouth and eyes, probably caused by cigarettes. He allegedly started exhibiting psychological problems and refused to speak to family members or fellow inmates. Police officers were said to have been aware of the situation and had not transferred him to another cell. 285. Eduardo Alves Pinheiro was reportedly arrested by eight civil police officers while driving his car on 17 April 1999. He had allegedly escaped from the 5th district police station in São Paulo seven months earlier. According to the information received, the police officers took him to a forest area near the city, where the chief of the 5th district police station joined the group. Eduardo Alves Pinheiro was reportedly kicked several times in the head by the police officers, including by the chief of the 5th district police station and a police chief from Depatri. Eduardo Alves Pinheiro was reportedly driven to the Mandaqui hospital by the police officers, who allegedly told the doctors that he had been involved in a car accident. He was reportedly located by his relatives at Depatri, where he is believed to have been beaten again. At the lock-up, he was allegedly hung on a “parrot’s perch” and subjected to electric shocks. On 18 April, his relatives allegedly requested the corregedoria of the civil police to initiate an official medical examination, which was allegedly refused. According to the information received, his family made the same request to the Department of Police Investigations. Officials at the Department reportedly replied that a medical examination could not be performed as they did not have enough vehicles to transfer him to a medical centre. Five days later, the Prison Ministry allegedly requested an official medical examination. It is said Eduardo Alves Pinheiro and his wife were subsequently examined. 286. Valmir Higino da Silva was reportedly arrested on 14 January 1998 and taken to the 3rd district police station in São Paulo. His family allegedly had no contact with him after his arrest. At the police station, he was reportedly attacked by other prisoners. He is said to have been transferred to another cell, where he was also beaten by his fellow inmates. A police officer also allegedly kicked and stepped on him. He was reportedly taken to a hospital by the Armed Group for the Prevention of Theft and Robbery. He was reportedly found dead on 18 January at the 3rd district police station. A police inquiry is said to have been opened. The Special Rapporteur would be grateful to receive information on the outcome of the inquiry.