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