PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 24/005/2008

30 April 2008

Further Information on UA 37/08 (AFR 24/001/2008, 11 February 2008) and follow-up (AFR 24/002/2008, 28 March 2008) - Detention without charge or trial/Harsh detention conditions

EQUATORIAL GUINEA Brígida Asongsua Elo (f)

Brígida Asongsua Elo was released without charge on 25 April, having been held in harsh conditions at Malabo Central Police Station since 16 December 2006.

On 24 April, the day before her release, Brígida Asongsua was assaulted by a male bodyguard of the Secretary of State for National Security. The bodyguard went to the police station and ordered Brígida Asongsua to sweep the floor in the Secretary of State's office. Brígida Asongsua told Amnesty International that the same man had ordered her to sweep the office on several occasions before, and that she had always refused to do so. When she refused on this occasion, he pulled her hair and hit her. Brígida Asongsua’s lawyer complained about the assault to the Secretary of State, who ordered the bodyguard's arrest. The following day, the Secretary of State met with Brígida Asongsua in his office and apologised to her for the behaviour of his bodyguard, saying that he had not been aware of it. Soon after this meeting, Brígida Asongsua was released.

Brígida Asongsua has told Amnesty International that she had been aware of the organization's work on her behalf. She had this message for those who campaigned for her release: “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know how to pay you for all you have done for me. Thank you, thank you”

No further action is required from the UA network. On behalf of Brígida Asongsua Elo, thank you very much to all who took part in this action.