Catania, 21/12/13
We note that our client, interviewed
today by the police criminal investigation department, has refused to provide
information regarding the matter of medical treatment procedures for the guests
of the reception centre at Lampedusa.
We express concern for the lack of a
timely transfer of Khalid from the Lampedusa centre, the place in which the
events for which the office of Public Prosecution Agrigento has opened an
inquiry allegedly took place. Our client has found himself within the facility
for 47 days for reasons of justice and, as referred to this morning in
Parliament by Minister Alfano, it seems, therefore, unacceptable that a person,
a potential asylum seeker, who has courageously decided to collaborate with the
law is treated in a way that violates the fundamental rights of a person. We
are convinced that in order for the criminal investigations to proceed calmly, arrangements
should be made for the immediate transfer of Khalid to a secure place in order
to create the necessary conditions to obtain, in compliance with the safeguards
provided by law, all of the facts relevant to the establishment of any possible
liability for the events presented in the video shot inside the centre at
Lampedusa.
Paola Ottaviano and Germana
Graceffo, Lawyers for the Defence of Khalid
Translation: Denise Wesley
