E/CN.4/1990/17 page 20 declared that their statements had been extracted from them under torture. However, the court does not appear to have investigated the allegations of torture and it sentenced the accused persons to long terms of imprisonment, on the basis of the statements obtained by torture. Ethiopia 63. On 26 June 1989 the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal to the Government of Ethiopia concerning information alleging that 176 people, mostly members of the armed forces serving in Eritrea, had been arrested in Addis Ababa for suspected involvement in a coup attempt on 16 May 1989. Those arrested reportedly included Major General Fanta Belay, Minister of Industry and former Air Force Commander, General Tesfaye Berhanu, Commander of the Navy, as well as Mrs. Genet Mebratu, employee of the World Health Organization, who was arrested on 8 June 1989. Mrs. Genet Mebratu was the widow of Major General Merid Negussie, chief of staff of the armed forces, described as one of the leaders of the attempted cjQilB. who was killed in the course of the fighting. It was alleged that all the detainees were being held incommunicado by the military or security authorities in Asmara and Addis Ababa, and that none had been brought to court or charged with any offence. Fears have been expressed that these and the other persons arrested following the CJJUE attempt could be subjected to torture while in detention. 64. On 18 July 1989 the Government of Ethiopia informed the Special Rapporteur that the cases of the detainees involved in the coup attempt would be brought before a court of law and they would be tried in accordance with the law of the land and in conformity with the Constitution of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. In the meantime, and in the course of preliminary investigation, the detainees were being, and would be, treated in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and with the pertinent laws governing the treatment of those under detention. 65. On 2 October 1989 the Special Rapporteur addressed a letter to the Government of Ethiopia transmitting information concerning conditions in Central Investigation Centres and in other special security detention centres which were not officially listed as prisons. It was reported that many prisoners who were at present held in official prisons had been held in such centres at an earlier stage of their imprisonment for interrogation. Cells in the Central Investigation Centre in Addis Ababa, which can vary in size between 4 x 6 metres and 4 x 4 metres, were reportedly overcrowded, with up to 30 or more prisoners sharing a cell. Sanitary conditions were reported to be very poor, and access to a qualified medical doctor or hospital forbidden. It was alleged that torture was extensively inflicted in these centres, especially immediately following the arrest of the prisoner. Torture methods allegedly included beating on the soles of the feet, suspension of the body in a contorted position, application of electric shocks and submersion in water. It was alleged that no investigations into torture allegations had been held and that the Government had not taken any steps to safeguard prisoners from torture and ill-treatment.