ARABI TORTURING CIRCASSIAN PRISONERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1012, 3 October 1882, Page 3

ARABI TORTURING CIRCASSIAN PRISONERS.

Among the eharge« that have been brought against Arabi is that of having toitured the Circassian prisoners. It appears that previous to the episode of September 9 Ar;».bi had dismisse d nearly all the Circassians from the regiments. Then he formed i regime.it for the Soudan, and appointed to it all the remaining Circassian officers. He then countermanded the orders to this regiment, and kept it in Cairo, but told the officers they were still to go on and join regiments already there. They did not refuse, but they asked for increased pay, and four of thnm held a meeting to petition for this. Arabi, forgetting his own history, arrested them. They were accused of plotting against his life, and any person witii whom they had been even intimate was arrested also, and from them all tried to get evidence against these officers. They were first taken to a cell under the stairs of the Abdin Barracks. It measures about 6ft by 4ft. Into this room were crammed as many as it would hold, and here they were left without light, food, or water for three days, They were then taken out and asked to give evidence of the pIo v . Any who would make any declaration were released to give encouragement to others. Those who remained firm were taken upstairs. Here they were taken to a room. On either side, to the right and left, were inscribed the names of the men they were wished to incriminate. To the roof of this room they were suspended by their thumbs, with their toes just touching the ground, while soldiers struck at them, prodded them with bayonets, and directed their attention to the names on the wall; till perhaps, in desperation, tl cy would state some fact against soma name for which they had the least regard. Here, again, the smallest admission was en. couraged, and the man released, and allowed to recount iiis experience to those who had not jet suffered. But there were ordeals the refractory had to pass through. The legs were fixed in a trying position, the back was bent, nuts were placed on the kDees, and the victim placed m a kneeling position: One of the most trying tests seems to have been heavy chains to the arms, which the poor wretch was made to hold extended. As the arms ftll with the weight, the knuckles were rapped or burnt until nn attempt was made again to extend them. For 48 hours, under such tortures, these men were left without water, and when, in spite of all, they gave way to sleep, they were prodded with bayonets to keep them awake. Thumbscrews, too, were used, and these were applied by Ibrahim Bey Fanyi, the Present Prefect of Police at Cairo, and Ayam Efpmdi, now lieutenant at the Zaptieh there.