"Allegations that their death was caused by torture will be investigated but it was actually caused by mere negligence so that the two detainees committed suicide," head of the National Police Headquarters public information division, Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar, said here on Monday.
He said nine officers of Sijunjung had been given sanctions for being negligent in carrying out their duties by not checking on cell inmates once every two hours.
"This is the conclusion made based on an investigation at the scene and by forensic experts from the M Jamil Hospital in Padang," he said.
Faisal Akbar and Budri had been detained at the Sijunjung police sector for stealing a motorbike and a donation box on December 21, 2011. They were later found dead in the bathroom of their detention cell on December 28.
Police have said they died after they hanged themselves but their family had found indications of torture.
The families of the victims reported the case to the Crime Investigation Department (Bareskrim) of the National Police on Thursday (Jan 12).
The victims` mother Syamsida and brother Did Firdaus reported the case to the Bareskrim in the company of the advocacy director of the Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Kadir Woka Lumbu and the director of the Legal Aid Institute of Padang chapter Fino Oktavia.
"We came here to report a crime and we have facts of our own (to show) that tortures have been done," Kadir Woka said.
He said if the policy wished to conduct an autopsy the family of the victims would allow them to do it.
"Based on the results of investigation by our friends in LBH Padang there were signs of ex-bumps and slash wounds on Budri`s left leg," he said.
Faisal`s brother Didi Firdaus meanwhile said Faisal had said to him that he had often been tortured by the officers.
"Faisal confessed he had often been tortured and had complained of pain in his head. I met him last on Monday (Dec 26) and they died on Wednesday (Dec 28)," he said.(*)
H-YH/HAJM/S012
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
