MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — A fresh security and migration controversy has emerged in Equatorial Guinea after an Egyptian man deported from the United States was reportedly taken into custody after speaking publicly about his treatment by local security forces.

According to Reuters, Ahmed Soliman was detained and is being held incommunicado, his lawyer said. The detention followed an incident in which security forces confronted migrants at gunpoint at a hotel in Equatorial Guinea. Video footage of the confrontation was reported to have circulated publicly.

The incident has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding migrants who are transferred to Equatorial Guinea under arrangements involving the United States.

Reuters reported that officers also confiscated migrants' phones following media coverage of the confrontation. Another deportee was reportedly arrested as well.

A coalition of human-rights organisations and lawyers has called for information about Soliman's whereabouts and safety. The organisations have also raised concerns about the transparency surrounding deportation arrangements involving third-country destinations.

The Equatorial Guinea government had not publicly commented on Soliman's reported detention at the time of the Reuters report.

The case is now drawing renewed attention to the treatment, legal status and safeguards available to migrants transferred to Equatorial Guinea.