Body of jailed Kiwi 'in hands of the UN'

Catherine Sands-Wearing said it appeared her brother Hamish was in good spirits before his prison cell death. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Ivory Coast rebels have left it to the United Nations to decide if the body of New Zealand man Hamish Sands can be returned to his family after a forensic examination.

The 36-year-old former Hawkes Bay man, who had been imprisoned by New Forces rebels since March 11 on suspicion of being a hired assassin, was found dead in his prison cell on Monday.

The rebels say Mr Sands died of natural causes but have agreed to allow a UN forensic expert to examine the body and determine the cause of death following suggestions of suicide or foul play.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said last night that a three-person UN team had identified the body of Mr Sands from a photograph. The UN staff were not allowed to see the body.

"We have made contact with the rebel's Secretary-General in Pretoria, Guillaume Soro, through the South African Government, and he has promised that the UN team will get access to the body.

"The body is now refrigerated and will remain so until it can be transported to Abidjan where it will be released."

Senior rebel official Cisse Sindou last night told the Herald he had been told by jail officials that Mr Sands died of natural causes.

When asked if Mr Sands had appeared ill before his death Mr Sindou said: "At this point we don't know but all we know is that he was in good heath last Thursday."

He added that Mr Sands sometimes hit his head against cell walls but staff always tried to stop him from the "suicide attempts".

The rebel chief of staff said he offered his condolences to Mr Sands' family.

Mr Sands' family yesterday pleaded for the body to be returned home. Mr Sindou said that decision would be up to the UN.

Mr Sands' sister, Catherine Sands-Wearing, said the rebels had been responsible for her brother's safety so they were now responsible for a full and transparent investigation into his death.

On Saturday she received a long-awaited letter Mr Sands had written from his prison cell.

"There was some humour in his message.

"He was an amazingly resilient person and he seemed in good spirits considering the situation he was in," she said.

"It is devastating for us and for everyone who has worked so hard on Hamish's behalf ... that it now seems he will not be returning.

"Hamish was a much loved member of our family and we are overwhelmed at his loss."

Mr Sands had been in the custody of the rebels for more than three weeks.

They accused Mr Sands of plotting to kill their leaders.

When captured, the rebels claimed Mr Sands was carrying body armour and navigational equipment.

They claimed he also carried an address book filled with the names of members of the ruling Ivorian Popular Front, Government forces and mercenary supply outfits.

* The rebels and the government of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo signed an agreement in Pretoria early today to end the fighting that has split the country since the end of 2002.

- additional reporting by Reuters, AFP