Criminal Investigation head interrogated over rape case [Archives:2007/1033/Front Page]

By:Nisreen Shadad
SANA'A ) 13 March. The prosecution interrogated Rizq al-Jawfi, the head of the Criminal Investigation Unit, two weeks ago in connection with the Anisa Al-Shuaibi law suit. Anisa Al-Shuaibi was accused of kidnapping and killing her ex-husband and was subsequently imprisoned without a fair trial enduring harsh prison conditions before finally being released after 48 days in captivity. Al-Shuaibi was a soldier who worked as a printer in the Interior Ministry for fifteen years. She was married at twelve years old and had two children. She was accused of killing her ex-husband and arrested in 2003, but after several weeks she was cleared because of a lack of evidence against her. While imprisoned Al-Shuaibi was abused and raped.

When Rizq al-Jawfi called to be questioned, prosecutors interrogated him without the presence of a-Shuaibi's lawyers, “We want to ask him a lot of questions,” said Abdul-Rahman Barman, al-Shuaibi's lawyer from Allawo Corporation for advocates.

“We have the right to attend his interrogation; however, we were not informed of al-Jawfi's court appearance.” “We were even forbidden to see the report of investigation.” After al-Jawfi attended the interrogation other jailors are due to be questioned, “The General Prosecution promised us that we could attend the jailors' interrogation,” said Barman. The other accused officers in the Criminal Investigation Unit are also scheduled to be investigated in connection with the allegation.

Meanwhile, Al-Shuaibi receives death threats against her children, “Not only that, they called me a crazy woman and they try to kidnap my kids.” Everyday she fights a psychological war; she can't leave her house, her children are unable to go to school and some of her neighbors harass her. “Some women hired a house beside us to observe us and throw stones at my home. Now they've left and a new neighbor has hired the house, who knows who is behind them.”

Nabila al-Matari, a friend of al- Shuaibi, lived with her for a time and now finds that, “When going outside my home I find people observing me as well. Once I was going to my work, two women stopped me and asked me where I was going. I left them and continued on my way, however, they ran after me.” “I have also recived death threats as I live with al- Shuaibi,” al- Matari added. Now Al-Matari, as well as al- Shuaibi, is under observation, “Whenever we go out, unknown people or cars are following us,” al- Matari said. Al- Shuaibi said, “The first meeting for me with Al-Matari was at the bus stop. She related her story to me and and it was identical to my story. We both have no rights and our fate is unknown. ” “The biggest mistake I committed in my life was working for the Security Authority, working with them has made my life unsafe,” she added. “And now, after a long time of working with them, they fired me from my job. They said we don't need you anymore,” al- Shuaibi said.

“The prosecution as well as the Judge did their best, however, the only obstacle the law suit faces is the Security Authority,” said Barman. “The Security authority must help the other authorities to achieve stability in the country, but in reality they are ordered to attend but do not respond.”
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