E/CN.4/1992/17 page 77 forces resorted to violence to crush trade union and student demonstrations in various cities of the country during October and November 1990. A mechanic named Komi Frédéric Guenou, aged 21, was allegedly said to have been badly beaten on 26 November 1990 by an unidentified soldier who cut off his right hand. Tunisia Urgent appeals and Government replies 225. On 18 May 1991 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Tunisia transmitting information concerning Noureddin Bhiri, a lawyer who was reportedly arrested without a warrant on 20 February 1991, and who since then has been kept in police custody. According to the source, neither his family nor his lawyer was allowed to visit him. In view of the many reports received that prisoners have been tortured while they were in police custody, fears were expressed that Mr. Bhiri might be subjected to torture. 226. On 16 December 1991 the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that no arrest warrant had been issued for Mr. Nourredine Bhiri and that he was completely free. 227. On 9 April 1991 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government transmitting information concerning Mohammed Moncef Al Triqi and Abdelaziz Al Buzouadi, members of the unauthorized Islamic group Hizb Al-Nahda. The former was arrested on 17 February 1991 and the latter on 23 February 1991. After their arrest, both of them were allegedly kept in police custody, incommunicado, in undisclosed detention centres. Since September 1990 hundreds of Hizb Al-Nahda members or sympathizers have reportedly been detained and those kept in police custody beyond the legally prescribed time-limit have allegedly been subjected to torture and ill-treatment during their detention. In the light of these considerations, fears have been expressed that both men might be subjected to torture and ill-treatment. 228. On 16 December 1991 the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that Mr. Triki and Mr. Bouzadi were not being held incommunicado in police custody. They were held lawfully after their arrest on 27 June 1991 and 27 July 1991 respectively and brought before the military courts on 1 July 1991 and 6 August 1991. Mr. Triki was arrested for spreading false information, disturbing the peace and belonging to a secret unauthorized organization. He was sentenced to one year and three months' imprisonment for holding an unauthorized meeting. Mr. Bouzadi's case is being examined. He is charged with high treason, illegal procurement of secret national defence information, attempting to undermine the internal security of the State, theft of official documents and inciting soldiers to join a secret illegal organization. 229. On 26 April 1991 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Tunisia transmitting information concerning Ajmi Lourimi, a teacher and member of the Executive Committee of the unofficial Islamic Party, Hizb Al-Nahda. He was arrested on 5 April 1991 and held incommunicado in police custody, at the Ministry of the Interior in Tunis. According to one person who had been detained at the same place, and subsequently released, Mr. Lourimi1s state of health was serious after he was tortured. According to