Police accused of killing the Archidona inmate they say committed ‘suicide’

EXPLOSIVE allegations have emerged suggesting that an Algerian migrant who reportedly committed suicide last week actually died following police violence.

Various videos have been published on social media claiming to conflict with the police account of events at the Archidona prison – where hundreds of migrants have been held since mid-November.

On Tuesday the brother of 36-year-old Mohamed Bouderbal reportedly said he “did not commit suicide”.

But today the preliminary conclusion from an official report into the death reportedly found evidence consistent with the police version of events.

An Algerian television station is also accusing the police of beating the man to death.

Inmates reportedly say that police kicked the man in the head and face. Video footage shows two men lying face down on the ground, seemingly outside of the cells.

Last week, authorities claim the man was found hanged in his cell. They say that despite resuscitation attempts, the man was pronounced dead.

Activists are concerned that deportations have been sped up in an effort to return potential witnesses – who may have been able to testify in the event of further legal proceedings – back to Algeria.

On Monday night, police reportedly clashed with protesters trying to prevent deportations. The victim’s brother was allegedly denied access to the body.

There are further reports that all of the migrants in the camp will be deported today.

Carlos Lopez, a member of Plataforma Ciudadana, a group against the imprisonment of migrants in Archidona, said: “There are a lot of shadows over that death. We are asking for an independent investigation and to stop deportation because the testimonies of the people in jail now is very important to clarify what happened.

The 37-year-old added: “Before these videos, the families of the inmates talked to us about it.

“The main thing is that nobody who could testify gets deported.”

Neither the Ministry of the Interior nor police have not responded to a request for comment.

Following reports about the death last week, police said an investigation would be carried out by Spanish authorities “to clarify the circumstances of the death”. Today, preliminary findings from the autopsy – which could remain open for months – point towards death by suffocation, according to reports.

Activists have asked to see security camera footage. 

The United Nations has previously condemned the Spanish authorities over their use of the prison, which is not scheduled to officially open until later this year.

Between 464 and 570 mainly Algerian migrants have been imprisoned in the facility for over a month. 

The government reportedly promised to try not to hold the group for longer than 60 days but has faced accusations of police brutality and illegal action. A riot broke out last month.

Nine children are alleged to have been taken into the care of Andalucian authorities since the migrants’ detention began. Other members of their party have been deported back to Algeria, according to activists, who say they have been denied legal representation.

Human Rights groups have also criticised the conditions faced by the migrants at the prison. 

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