Afghan refugee burns himself

Afghan refugee burns himself

JAKARTA: An Afghan asylum seeker, Ali Muhammad, died in the
hospital on Sunday after apparently setting himself on fire at
his temporary shelter at Wisma Delima on Jl. Jaksa, Central
Jakarta, on Friday.

However, the police are investigating his death due to
"unnatural causes" after a deep gash was found across his chest.

Ali, who had been in Indonesia for about one year, was
admitted to Pertamina Public Hospital in South Jakarta for
intensive treatment on Friday.

He was pronounced dead on Sunday and his remains were taken by
the police late Monday to the Cipto Mangunkusumo Central Hospital
for an autopsy.

A source at the City Police said there were some
"irregularities" found on the body.

Rawi, a staff member at the Pertamina hospital morgue,
confirmed the presence of the cut across Ali's chest in addition
to the burn wounds.

Ali, 40, had lived in various cities in Indonesia. He was
under the sponsorship of the International Organization for
Migration (IOM).

Arista, an IOM spokesperson, said Ali's death would be
considered a suicide unless further evidence was brought to
light. She added that Ali had tried to kill himself in March but
failed. --JP