Deportees from U.S. to Equatorial Guinea allegedly beaten and arrested

Lawyers and human rights advocates report that two men deported from the United States to Equatorial Guinea were subjected to physical abuse and arbitrary arrest. Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian national, and Samson Birhane, an Eritrean national, were allegedly held at gunpoint, had bags placed over their heads, and were beaten by police.

The victims were being held at the Bamy Hotel in Malabo, a facility converted into a detention center for asylum seekers under a $7.5 million agreement with the Trump administration. Advocates suggest the violence was intended as retaliation for the men raising alarms regarding the poor conditions and police conduct within the facility.

Reports indicate that Equatorial Guinea has deported at least 12 individuals back to their countries of origin, including four Ethiopians, despite previous U.S. judicial protections. Human rights organizations have described the situation as a “human rights catastrophe,” calling for accountability from both the United States and Equatorial Guinea.