Already when Mr Omar was interrogated and subjected to harsh beatings at the end of last year, he was threatened to be transferred to a secret detention facility for harsher treatment. Now, after an ICRC visit to Karkh prison on 6 May 2013, the Jordanian national with US citizenship was transferred to the prison's section for criminals of common law, where the situation is reported to be less safe for foreigners. On 16 May, he was again moved, this time to a section where detention conditions are said to be better.

Speaking to Alkarama, his wife said: "I fear for my husband because some detainees reported me that he stopped drinking". This came after Mr Omar's cell was violently searched by prison guards who broke his fan and television on 19 May. It is in protest of this that Mr Omar is now believed to refuse liquids, although he developed health problems due to the hunger strike he had announced earlier already.

Alkarama was now informed that Mr Omar was again pulled out his cell on 21 May 2013, but this time to an unknown place. His relatives as well as the ICRC contacted the prison authorities in order to receive further information on his fate and whereabouts, but to no avail. His current situation remains unclear.

Alkarama fears for Mr Omar's physical and psychological integrity as he is at high risk of torture while being prevented from contacting his family and receiving visits from international bodies. We therefore renewed our submission to the Special Rapporteur on Torture today, asking his immediate intervention with the Iraqi authorities.