Military's account on detainee's death accepted<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Abdurrahman Wahid
\nhas accepted the military's account that activist Achmad Siddiq
\ndied of an illness and not from torture while in detention.<\/p>\n
The leader of the 30-million strong Moslem organization leader
\nsaid the issue is now closed.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, as Abdurrahman is better known, said in Malang
\nSaturday that the military's explanation was supported with
\ncredible evidence, such as the results of a medical examination.<\/p>\n
"We believe the authorities have handled the issue properly,"
\nhe told journalists who asked for his comment on the way the
\ngovernment handled the issue surrounding the death of Achmad
\nSiddiq on Dec. 6.<\/p>\n
Achmad, 24, was one of the 54 people detained for their role
\nin the Oct. 10 religious riot in the East Java town of Situbondo,
\nin which five people were killed and 21 churches reduced to ashes
\nor damaged.<\/p>\n
He was found dead in detention on Dec. 6. The news was highly
\npublicized in the local media after Gus Dur sent a letter to the
\nArmed Forces Chief, Gen. Feisal Tanjung, demanding an
\ninvestigation.<\/p>\n
Feisal said in a hearing with the House of Representatives
\nlast week that Achmad died of intestine inflammation and cerebral
\ninfection.<\/p>\n
But an official letter from the Situbondo General Hospital
\nsaid that Achmad died of "respiratory failure" and infection of
\nhis nervous system.<\/p>\n
According to the chief of the East Java military commander,
\nMaj. Gen. Imam Utomo, the deceased's family confirmed that Achmad
\nhad an acute gastric problem.<\/p>\n
"We will not give further comment on Achmad Siddiq's death,"
\nGus Dur said after addressing a seminar at Malang's High School
\nof Theology.<\/p>\n
He insisted he had no political motive in demanding that the
\nEast Java authorities investigate the NU activist's death. "It
\nwas just to obtain the truth," he said. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/militarys-account-on-detainees-death-accepted-1447893297",
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