E/CN.4/2000/9 page 83 and belittling Islam, causing friction and provocation to public order. The Government stated that he was arrested with a warrant by State Security forces on 12 October 1996 and was remanded in custody pending investigation, before being released on bail. The Government indicated that no complaint of torture was made to the Department of Public Prosecutions or to the Office of the Attorney-General for Human Rights. Observations 400. The Special Rapporteur continues to appreciate the responses of the Government while sharing the concerns of the Committee against Torture, in its conclusions and recommendations following its review of the periodic report of Egypt under the Convention against Torture, at the "large number of allegations of torture and even of death relating to detainees made against the police and State Security Intelligence" (A/54/44, para. 207). He particularly regrets that discussions he has had over the years with the Permanent Mission have failed to elicit an invitation to visit the country. Equatorial Guinea Regular communications and replies received 401. By letter dated 30 November 1999 transmitted jointly with the Special Representative on the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea, the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had been informed that, following the events of 21 January 1998, three soldiers and a number of civilians were killed and approximately 500 persons were arrested in the months of January and February 1999. 402. The authorities reportedly accused the Movimiento para la Autodeterminación de la Isla de Bioko (MAIB) of being responsible for attacks on military barracks. Most of the detainees, including women, were allegedly arrested because they belonged to the Bubi tribe. According to the information, members of the tribe were tortured by agents of the security forces, who kicked them and hit them with rifles. At least six persons allegedly died as a result of these events. Many women were allegedly raped, particularly in Malabo and other Bubi settlements. Some people claimed that their ears were cut off with razors or bayonets. During the trial in May 1998, at least 10 people, including Fernando Riloha, were reportedly seen with their ears cut off. Many Bubis were allegedly forced to get out of taxis and public transport vehicles at a roadblock in Sampaca and were subsequently beaten by security forces. Bubi leaders in Rebola were reportedly arrested on suspicion of hiding rebels or serving as safe conduct for them. The Malabo police allegedly kept the detainees in incommunicado detention for several weeks, relying mainly on torture to obtain confessions. The detainees were reportedly taken to a special room in the Malabo police station, where they were tortured. It is said that during their interrogation, some were subjected to various forms of torture and their arms and legs were immobilized with metal bars. Others were tied hand and foot and hung from the ceiling while the security forces looked on dispassionately. 403. The most violent attack on the Bubi tribe allegedly occurred in Malabo on 25 January 1998, when the Prime Minister, Ángel Serafín Dougan Seriche, who is of Bubi origin, convened a demonstration to show that the Bubis were loyal to him. Thousands were reportedly forced to participate, and anyone who would not, the threat was made, would be considered a rebel supporter. During the