Egyptians alleging torture in Kuwait re-arrested by authorities

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Two Egyptian workers who claimed they were tortured by Kuwaiti police were re-arrested by authorities here Friday after a prosecutor had ordered them released, their attorney said. The case of Hossam Saleem, 27, and Gamal Abdel Shafi, 35, has drawn media attention and official condemnation from Egypt. The two laborers were first arrested July 24 on charges of forging work permits. Their lawyer Tariq al-Khars said that a preliminary forensic report issued Thursday supported their claims of being tortured by police at the time. A prosecutor ordered their release Thursday but police then re-arrested them on charges of violating residency laws, he added. Al-Khars alleged that acid was used to burn the men during their interrogation.