Upon completion of the original autopsy on January 13th the family was informed they could retrieve the body for burial. However, at that time the familys lawyer requested an additional autopsy to be conducted by a doctor from abroad. A source at the morgue stated the family was concerned about some marks on one forearm and some small incisions made during the autopsy that were used to assess whether there were any subcutaneous injuries under discolored areas on one arm.
Contact between the family and their lawyer with the International Rehabilitation Council on Torture (IRCT) led to Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci entering Bahrain on a tourist visa in order to conduct a secondary autopsy on the deceased. That examination took place on January 21st when the body was being prepared for burial. The pathologist today reaffirmed that decomposition continues after death even if the body is refrigerated, so the condition of the body would be expected to reflect some changes.
Based on the lawyer’s submission of the 2nd medical examination to the Public Prosecution earlier this week, copy of that report was sent to the pathologist assigned to the case for review and comparison.
The medical examiner concluded that what was presented in his report was contradictory to the results of Dr. Fincanci’s post-mortem and photographs, as well as her report of the crime scene and photographs that were included. Moreover, photographs presented with Dr. Fincanci’s report had technical flaws that raised questions about their authenticity.
Significantly, the Public Prosecutor said that the report presented by the lawyer was based on the presumption of torture prior to death by drowning, due to bruises on the left arm along with scratches on the right thigh and left foot. However, he said that the idea that the death was the result of unconsciousness due to electrocution was only an assumption and that the report was flawed in that it did not take into consideration some factors like the toxicology results that indicated the presence of prescription medication for Schizophrenia.
During the initial investigation, the Public Prosecution took the statements of the deceased’s father and cousin who stated that he suffered from Schizophrenia and always went to the seashore in the area where his body was found. The doctor treating the deceased confirmed the medication he was taking which was consistent with the toxicology reports.
In light of the results of the coroner’s presentation, the Public Prosecution has asked to question family’s lawyer and will also request the attendance of Dr. Fincanci to question her about the conditions of the autopsy conducted and the procedures taken to reach its conclusion.
When asked about whether authorities might consider charges for conducting a medical exam without being licensed in Bahrain, the Prosecutor asserted that their concern right now is to understand the discrepancy between these two reports and make sure the truth prevails.