Barran Press
On December 15, 2024, the Taiz police in southwestern Yemen announced the detention of the police chief, officers, and personnel from the Al-Usayfirah police station after the mysterious death of a detainee, Anwar Mansour Abdou Zaid.
In a statement obtained by Barran Press, the provincial police clarified that the governor ordered an immediate investigation upon receiving reports of Zaid's death while in custody. A forensic team was dispatched to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Taiz security director instructed urgent measures, leading to the suspension of the police chief, his officers, and the individuals responsible for the detention, with all parties referred for investigation. The statement confirmed that initial procedures had been completed, and the case was forwarded to the public prosecutor and criminal investigation department for legal follow-up.
Last week, soldiers from the 170th Brigade detained Anwar Mansour Abdou Zaid, a resident of the Ifoa area in the Sharab Al-Salam district of Taiz, while he was en route to the city to renew his passport, driving a luxury Lexus vehicle.
According to activists, Zaid suffered brutal torture before being handed over to the Al-Usayfirah police station on charges of possessing five grams of hashish. Hours after his detention, the police announced his death, claiming it was a suicide, although his vehicle has yet to be located.