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RISK OF TORTURE FOR DETAINED MEN UNLAWFULLY REMOVED BY ICE

Equatorial Guinea UA 95.26

On September 11, the Equatorial Guinea authorities unlawfully arrested Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane, accusing them of “breaking a mirror” at a hotel in Malabo, where the two had been arbitrarily held since they were unlawfully removed by the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year. Police officers covered the two men’s heads with a bag and beat them in their heads, backs, and ribs. Amnesty International believes that police officers targeted them in reprisal for reporting the authorities’ violent threats to coerce them to agree to return to their countries of origin. Since then, the two men have been held in an overcrowded police cell, in inhumane conditions, unable to speak to their lawyer.

Call on the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, to immediately release Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane, inform them of any charges against them, and allow them unimpeded access to counsel - send your message using our email writing tool.

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Vice President of Equator

Teodoro Nguema Obiang

Mangue

Vice President of Equatorial Guinea

Dear Vice-President,

I am extremely concerned about the unlawful imprisonment of Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian national, and Samson Birhane, from Eritrea, and the risk that they may be tortured. Amnesty International believes that they were arrested as a reprisal for reporting the treatment and threats they are receiving at the hands of the authorities of Equatorial Guinea.

On September 11, 2026, police officers arrived at the Hotel Bamy, where the two men and dozens of others have been arbitrarily held since their transfer from the U.S., as part of the U.S. policy of third country removals. They targeted Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane, covered their heads, beat them in their heads, backs, and ribs, and arrested them, accusing them of “breaking a mirror”. Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane were previously granted protection from refoulement to their countries of origin by U.S. immigration courts. Despite this, police officers and guards in Equatorial Guinea have subjected them to repeated threats to force them to accept returning to their countries of origin. Neither of the two men can be returned to their countries of origin, as it would not be safe for them.

I urge you to ensure Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane are immediately released, informed of any charges against them, and allowed unimpeded access to counsel. I also urge you to stop the threats and intimidation to coerce anyone transferred from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea to agree to return to their country of origin; and refrain from any reprisals against individuals for reporting and protesting their treatment in the country.

Yours sincerely,

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