Citizen Dies in Police Detention Center in Rafah

On Monday, 1 April 2013, at approximately 5:00 am, medical sources at al-Najjar Hospital in the Rafah refugee camp announced the death of a heart patient detainee Sami Hamdan Qeshta, 50, who is married to two, and his family consists of 9 family members including five children.
Qeshta was kept in police custody upon a court ruling for his unpaid legal financial obligations (about NIS 1,500) and contravening inheritance-related legal issues.
According to police sources, Qeshta went to bed after having his dinner and taking his medicine at approximately 10:05 pm, Sunday, 31 March 2013.
Qeshta woke up panicky, one hour into his sleep.
He was instantly moved outside; and a medical checkup was conducted.
Two ambulance cars arrived at the scene 11:26 pm and transferred him to al-Najjar hospital where he was admitted at 1:35 pm.
Doctors made several resuscitation attempts by artificial respiration and electric shocks.
However, 30 minutes later, medical sources at the hospital announced his death.
In an affidavit for Al Mezan, Karim Kamil Qeshta, 36, Sami’s relative stated that on Sunday, at approximately 31 March 2013, he received a phone call from his sister informing him the her brother-in-law Sami is unwell, so they rushed to the hospital where he was informed by one of the nurses that Sami arrived dead to the hospital despite all attempts made to save his life.
He added that his body did not bear any signs of torture.
According to Karim Qeshta, he stated that the police allowed him to sleep at his home for two three days, from Thursday evening, 28 March 2013 till Saturday morning, 30 March 2013.
He added that Sami’s brothers Hani, 40, passed away few months ago while he was playing football as he suffered from a heart illness.
Another brother of his, Naji, also died due to a heart illness.
Qestha’s body was submitted for forensic examination in Gaza.