The human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Zambian security forces of torturing more than 30 people detained after a failed military coup last week.

In a statement, the organisation called on President Chiluba's government to stop the torture, which it said, included cigarette burnings, beatings and electric shocks.

Amnesty said the detainees -- mainly army officers -- had also been denied food and water.

A spokesman for President Chiluba in Lusaka said he was not aware anyone had been tortured.

On Wednesday, the Zambian High Court ordered police to give medical help to a detained opposition leader who said he had been tortured.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
�