Family blames Indonesian police for son's death

Family blames Indonesian police for son's death

2011-04-23 08:57:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

PALU, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- The family of a man who reportedly died after hanging himself in police detention said Friday Indonesian officers were involved in the incident.

The Jakarta Globe reported that Susanto, 19, died after attempting to hang himself in his cell on Monday evening. He was taken to the Luwuk Hospital, but he died after arrival.

Family member Mustar Labolo said they have pleaded to the National Commission on Human Rights for help. He added that the family suspected Susanto died as a result of violence after seeing his corpse. The evidence showed that blood came out of his ears and nose, and there was a blood clot in his mouth.

According to Mustar, the doctor who signed Susanto's death certificate also mentioned there was no compelling evidence he had hanged himself. The family requested an autopsy on Thursday, but as the doctor was sick, the procedure had to be canceled. The body has since been buried.

Police, however, said that they had offered to have an autopsy performed, but the victim's father refused, saying he didn't want his son's body cut open. Police further claimed that the death certificate did not mention signs of violence on Susanto's body.

Susanto was detained by the Banggai Police on April 16, under suspicion of sexually abusing his girlfriend. Police said Susanto attempted to hang himself with a towel tied to an overhanging bar.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-23