Family to confront police on fatal beating

Family to confront police on fatal beating

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

A man being detained at the Kelapa Gading Police station in North
Jakarta died in his cell on Tuesday as a result of a severe
beating.

The man, Gatot Subroto, 39, was arrested by North Jakarta
Police detectives on April 24 on suspicion of buying stolen cars.

Lawyers for his family, Rizal Haliman and Erik Saat, said on
Wednesday they would file a complaint with the National Police as
soon as the family had gotten over the initial shock and grief of
the death.

"Police informed Gatot's family about his death on Tuesday
afternoon. They said he had been beaten up by other detainees,"
said Rizal, adding that he last saw Gatot on April 30.

He said the family had doubts about the police's account of
events.

"They want a clear explanation from the police because Gatot
was supposed to be in police custody. They must be held
responsible for the safety of their detainees."

Gatot was being held at the Kelapa Gading Police station
because the North Jakarta Police Headquarters is being renovated
and no holding cells were available.

Rizal said Gatot's body was covered with bruises -- a large
bruise on his chest, a bluish-colored bruise on his stomach and
several bruises covering his back.

An autopsy was performed on Gatot at the Cipto Mangunkusumo
General Hospital morgue but the victim's family has reportedly
been denied access to the results.

After the autopsy, Gatot was buried in his hometown of
Surabaya on Wednesday.

Lawyer Erik said the family would also report the case to the
National Commission on Human Rights and the House of
Representatives next week.

"The reason for the family filing a report with the National
Police was because we thought they might handle the case much
faster," he said.

North Jakarta Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli
declined to comment on the matter when contacted by The Jakarta
Post.