E/CN.4/1990/17 page 46 that there was nothing adverse to report on these persons and that they had not been harassed or ill-treated by the Sri Lankan Security Forces or the Criminal Investigation Department. With regard to the other cases referred to in the letter of the Special Rapporteur dated 2 October 1989, it was stated that the information had been referred to the relevant authorities for investigation. However, considering the general nature of the information given, and in view of the unsettled security situation in the country, more time would be necessary to conduct investigations and ascertain facts. Information would be made available once inquiries had been completed. Sudan 145. On 10 November 1989 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Sudan concerning information alleging that Buthina Dowka, aged 32, a nurse working at Khartoum hospital, was arrested on 4 September 1989 and detained in Omdurman prison. It was reported that her physical and mental health had, since her arrest, been seriously affected by her conditions of detention and she was believed to have suffered a mental breakdown. She had allegedly been beaten on several occasions and was being kept constantly tied up with ropes. She allegedly received neither medical treatment nor any visits from her family or friends. It was reported that she had not been formally charged with any offence. 146. On 30 November 1989 the Permanent Mission of Sudan to the United Nations Office at Geneva communicated to the Special Rapporteur that it had been informed by the office of the Attorney General of Sudan that Buthina Dowka had been released on 6 November 1989. Turkey 147. On 9 January 1989 the Government of Turkey addressed a letter to the Special Rapporteur replying to an urgent appeal sent by him on 2 December 1988 (see E/CN.4/1989/15, para. 152). The Turkish Government affirmed that the four persons concerned had been arrested on charges of membership of or affiliation with terrorist groups. The allegation of ill-treatment had been looked into and the investigating authorities concluded that none of the persons concerned had been mistreated during their interrogation or detention. Those findings were reportedly confirmed by medical reports. 148. On 26 January 1989 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Turkey concerning information alleging that seven persons from Batman district, linked with the Petrol-Is trade union or with the Social Democratic Populist Party (SDP), were being held in incommunicado detention at either Atman police station or Siirt police headquarters, for alleged terrorist activities. Their names were reported as follows: Ahmet Timurtas; Mehmet Kara; Sukeg Erinci; Mehmet Sirin Aytekin; Besir Kurt; and Sukru Gok. It was reported that some of those held incommunicado had been detained previously during the past two years and had alleged having been subjected to torture. Members of the SDP had also alleged that they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment in Siirt police headquarters. It was further alleged that Mustafa Depren, aged 40, a teacher, his brother Suleyman Depren and Gazi Eke had been detained in Gaziantep between 12 and 15 January 1989 and were believed to be held at Gaziantep police headquarters. No reasons were given for the detention. It was feared that they were being interrogated under torture.