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Torture victim awarded damages

    NAIROBI

    A former Zambian army officer who was physically tortured while in police custody was awarded compensation amounting to over US $7,000 by the Lusaka high court on Wednesday, news reports said. The judge, in delivering judgement, said no law allows police to inflict any assault on a suspect, the reports added.

    The victim, David Kataba, reportedly told the court he was arrested on 21 September 1997 until 3 October 1997 after police came to his house and told him they were looking for fake passports and vehicle registration papers, although they found nothing.

    Kataba claimed he was beaten and tortured on 23 September, which he argued was unlawful and a violation of his human rights. He also claimed that his continued detention without being charged was also unlawful, the reports added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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