They strangled me, I couldn’t breathe while others kicked me – Barker-Vormawor accuses police

According to the lawyer and PhD research student at the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, he was strangled and repeatedly kicked by the police officers assigned to move him to the Dansoman SSNIT Flats Police Station.

He stated that the police hierarchy had grown intolerant of him because he had led a hunger strike to protest the terrible conditions in the cell.

“… I was lying down, and about two hours later, six armed individuals entered the cell. They ordered everyone to move to a corner and asked me to come out. I was expecting this because I knew they were deeply embarrassed by the conversation we were having. I came out, and one of the officers asked, ‘Where are your things?’ So, I asked him, ‘What is happening? Where are you taking me?’ He repeated, ‘Where are your things?’ I asked again, but the next thing I knew, I was being strangled, while another officer stepped on my feet, and another hit me on the head. This happened just outside the cell and lasted about 15 minutes. I was struggling to breathe, screaming, unable to get air, and everyone in the cell was watching.

“They issued a statement claiming I sustained injuries during the transfer. At that time, I was only wearing boxers and a small white shirt, which was blood-stained. They carried me into a vehicle without telling me where we were going, and we eventually arrived at the Dansoman SSNIT Flats Police Station. They opened the cell and put me inside. The cell was extremely dirty and had not been occupied in a while. I asked the commander if I could get a broom to sweep it, and they brought someone to clean. I could barely move my hand, but I took the broom and cleaned it myself.”

Barker-Vormawor was surprised that the police took him to the hospital.

“One of the commanders, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, ordered that I be taken to a hospital. I was genuinely surprised they were doing this. They brought me out of the cell, took me to a nearby hospital, where I received a tetanus injection, medications, and had my wounds bandaged. On the way, I noticed people gathered along the roadside, taking photos. Later, I saw pictures of myself in the vehicle, with my hand bandaged and plasters on my fingers. The police issued a statement saying I sustained injuries in the course of the transfer.”