'Lip-stitching' police suspended

'Signs of torture' an examining doctor says

Seven police officers in Pakistan have been suspended in an inquiry into allegations that officers stitched up the lips of an abusive prisoner.

The prisoner, Muhammad Hussain, had been brought to a jail in Vehari in the province of Punjab from the nearby prison in Multan on 22 June.

Mr Hussain is said to have fought with a fellow inmate and a police officer.

Policemen allegedly used a needle and jute yarn to silence Mr Hussain who had been arrested on abduction charges.

A local doctor has told the Reuters news agency that there are signs that Mr Hussain had been tortured.

'Lips swollen'

The seven police officers were suspended after Mr Hussain was visited by the officer investigating the incident.

Doctor Abdul Waheed told Reuters that Mr Hussain had been brought to him on Friday.

"He had torture signs on his fingers and backs. The lips were also swollen and there were marks of four stitches on his lips," Dr Waheed said.

"He was in severe pain. He was badly tortured."

The decision to suspend the officers was taken by Deputy Inspector-General Malik Mohammad Iqbal.

But he says it is not clear that Mr Hussain was tortured.

"I only know that an under-trial prisoner, Mohammed Hussain, initially accused police of torturing him and sewing his lips," Mr Iqbal said, the Associated Press news agency reports.

"Later, he changed his statement and said he sewed up his lips with his own hand."

Mr Hussain allegedly head butted an iron bar when he was brought to Vehari and was detained in a hospital amid fears he might attempt suicide.

It was in judicial custody there that the alleged stitching took place, reportedly to stop the prisoner hurling abuse.

Mr Hussain was later returned to Multan jail.