CAT/C/64/D/641/2014
weapons in the mosques, leading to attacks on those mosques. The complainant claims to
have never borne arms, but he was involved in uncovering weapons caches. 2 The Gbagbos
were imprisoned on 11 April 2011 in connection with the crisis that followed the
presidential election of November 2010. Subsequently, the Ivorian authorities started to
look for those who had worked with Simone Gbagbo.
2.2
The complainant’s home was plundered and demolished on 12 April 2011 but he
was not there at the time. Afterwards, he lived in hiding with his friends, while his wife and
children lived with other friends. On 20 April 2011, when he was trying to flee to Ghana,
the complainant was arrested by a militia, together with two friends in the town of Bonoua. 3
He had reportedly been recognized by one of the militiamen as someone who had worked
with the churches. The complainant was then brought to a military camp in Abobo and
detained there for a week.4 He was accused of having received money and weapons from
Ms. Gbagbo. The militiamen who had detained the complainant questioned him about his
political activities, his cooperation with the wife of the former President and their
relationship. Those who questioned him apparently knew about his cooperation with Ms.
Gbagbo and wanted to know where all the weapons they had taken from the militia were
hidden.5 The complainant stated that he did not know anything about the weapons. The
militiamen also demanded money from the complainant.
2.3
While being held in the military camp in Abobo, the complainant’s wrists were tied
with a metal strap and his left hand was tied to the roof. Every hour he was it with a baton
and asked about the weapons by those who were questioning him. In total, there were some
10 men who took it in turns to beat him. He was also hit with a “weapon” to make him
speak. On one occasion, one of the officers burnt the complainant’s left hand with a
cigarette to check whether that hand was tightly fixed. The complainant was getting weaker
each day and was throwing up blood and at as times unconscious. 6
2.4
On an unspecified date, the complainant’s wife was informed about his condition
and whereabouts. She met with one high-ranking officer and paid 500,000 CFA francs to
secure the complainant’s release. The complainant believes that his release was conditional
and that he was released only because the militiamen who held him needed money that he
was able to pay. 7 After his release, the complainant went into hiding at his godfather’s
house in Cocody, Abidjan, where he was treated for his wounds. He did not want to go to a
hospital, as he was afraid.
2.5
On 18 January 2012, the complainant left for France, as he feared he would be
arrested again owing to his political activities. While he was in France, the Government of
Côte d’Ivoire issued a memorandum, stating that those who had fled the country could
return without risking any harassment from the authorities. Consequently, on 2 February
2012, the complainant returned to Côte d’Ivoire, where his wife and children remained. He
continued his political activities after his return and took part in political rallies in Abidjan.
During his stay in Côte d’Ivoire, he was followed and armed men searched for him on at
least two occasions without being able to find and arrest him. 8
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
This part of the factual background is based on the decision of the Stockholm Administrative Court
(Migration Court) of 3 June 2014.
According to the complainant, the militia who arrested him consisted of youths loyal to the incumbent
President, Alassane Ouattara.
According to the complainant, the military camp was under the command of the Forces républicaines
de Côte d’Ivoire (FRCI).
The complainant does not provide further details on the matter.
The complainant submitted a copy of the medical record issued by Söderhamn Health Centre on
1 October 2013, according to which he had “severe symptoms of pain in the right hip and the whole
right side up against the thorax due to mistreatment under arrest in 2011. He has difficulty using the
right arm and has a constant pain in the chest. … The injuries may well have [been] incurred because
of the beating. He is significantly handicapped in his everyday life.”
The complainant does not provide further details on the matter.
The complainant does not provide further details on the matter.