E/CN.4/1992/17 page 24 Intelligence under an administrative detention order. His place of detention was not reported. The arrest followed a speech opposing the Gulf war, made on 24 February 1991 by Mr. Sabahi at a student conference at Cairo University. In the light of recent reports that people detained under similar circumstances were allegedly subjected to torture, fears were expressed that Mr. Sabahi might be interrogated under torture. 76. On 23 September 1991 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Egypt concerning Mohammad Al-Sayyid Al-Sayyid Higazi, a 29-year-old Arabic teacher and a graduate of Cairo University who was arrested on 18 August 1991 in Bulaq Al-Dakrur, Giza, and taken to the State Security Intelligence, Doqqi Branch (Cairo). He had reportedly been arrested on several occasions in the past and held in detention for long periods without charge or trial. In the light of previous reports according to which people detained under similar circumstances were allegedly subjected to torture, fears were expressed that his safety and physical integrity might be endangered. 77. Concerning this latter case, on 19 November 1991 the Government replied that Mr. Mohammad Al-Sayyid Al-Sayyid Higazi had been questioned and placed under arrest on 18 August 1991 for security reasons, but had been released on 15 September 1991. On 16 September 1991 the senior officials of the State Security Department ordered provisional arrest in connection with case No. 476/91 concerning State security, on charges of "forming a secret unlawful organization". Letters and Government replies 78. On 27 November 1990 the Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government of Egypt transmitting information on the following cases of alleged torture: (a) Muhammad Ahmed Abu Khoukh was arrested in April 1990 and taken to the Damietta Security Directorate Prison. He was allegedly blindfolded and beaten with his hands bound behind him, and was persistently threatened with sexual abuse. He remained in detention for three months and then he was released, without any charge being filed against him; (b) Khaled esh-Sherif, a journalist working for the weekly magazine Al Hakika (regarding whom the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal on 14 September 1990), was arrested on 19 August 1990 and taken to the State Security Centre at Giza. He was then transferred to the State Security Intelligence Police (SSIP) Centre at Lazoghli, where he was allegedly severely tortured. He was allegedly again tortured at the same centre following a short period of detention at the Tora Reception Prison. It was reported that lawyers who visited him at Tora prison affirmed that he had scars from electric shocks on his chest, burns from cigarettes on his hands and legs, and that he was suffering from stiffness in his hands due to suspension. It was further reported that the Niyaba (State Security Procuracy) had recorded these signs and ordered his referral to the Forensic Medical Office, but it was not known whether an examination had been made;