Five police officers jailed for torturing drug suspect in Padang

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang

The Padang District Court, West Sumatra, sentenced to prison five police officers for 18 months each on Monday for torturing a drug suspect so badly that the man died.

However, the panel of judges led by Busra did not order the convicted defendants to be locked up immediately, as they had filed an appeal and will remain free.

The five, all members of the police strike force, had been detained for several days for questioning at the West Sumatra Police headquarters, but were later released to resume their normal police duties.

They have been identified as Second Brig. Agha Harry Wibowo, 23, Second Brig. Andi Fachri Hasibuan, 26, First Brig. Defial, 25, First Brig. Zulkifli, 33 and Second Brig. Budhi Purnama, 24.

They were proven guilty for deliberately torturing Faisal, a 27-year-old drug suspect, which led to his death, the judges said.

The defendants had initially claimed that Faisal died after slamming his own head against the wall because of the heavy stress of the investigation.

But they eventually confessed to having tortured Faisal before he died, the judges added.

Officers arrested Faisal late last year at his home in Padang and took him to the Padang police station. Hours later, he was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, but doctors could not save him.