At least five Cuban detainees who were held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre were "physically abused", Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis claimed yesterday.

However, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell blasted Minnis and the FNM for "siding with the enemies of The Bahamas against Bahamians".

"It is simply unimaginable that we have today something which is so simple and direct be twisted into some vast political conspiracy," Mitchell said in a statement.

Minnis claimed that after the alleged abuse, the detainees, with the help of one or more defence force officers, videotaped and reenacted the beatings.

When asked how he came across the information, Minnis said it was based on a government report into alleged abuse at the detention center.

However, Minnis did not provide proof to substantiate his claims or a copy of the report. Minnis called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire Mitchell and release a copy of the unedited report. Mitchell said the government has ordered an investigation into allegations of abuse at the detention center following a video that aired on a Spanish language TV station in Miami purporting to show Cuban detainees at the center being abused by Bahamian officers.

He has said that the video was fake. When the report is completed, Mitchell said, the "chips will fall where they may". Shortly after the video aired, Miami-based protest group Democracy Movement began protesting against The Bahamas, claiming that the video was real and that Cuban detainees were being abused in The Bahamas.

Minnis, however, claims that the report was completed in late June. He said seven Cuban detainees who attempted to escape the detention center on May 20, were captured, and at least five were "physically abused to a severe degree".

He said three of the detainees were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and the rest were returned to the detention center.

"Following the beatings, the remaining detainees performed and videotaped a reenactment of the earlier beatings," he claimed.

"Our information is that the reenactment was facilitated with the assistance of one or more Defence Force officers who provided the fatigues for the actors in the performance." However, Mitchell denied any cover up at the detention center.

"With regard to their allegations about the video tape, how many times must you tell these people that an investigation is still ongoing into this matter and when the matter is done the government will follow the results of the investigation," he said.

"I have never met a more unpatriotic, un-Bahamian group than the FNM.

"They opposed independence and now they are siding with enemies of The Bahamas against Bahamians.

When will they stand up for The Bahamas?"

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