Police chief burns thief of death

Police chief burns thief of death

Agencies, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

A suspected motorbike thief was burned to death when a police chief doused him in gasoline during interrogation before lighting a cigarette that inadvertently set him alight.

East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Brig. Gen. Jacky Uli and Kupang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. F. Mirah immediately conveyed their apologies on Wednesday to the family and friends of the suspected thief over the incident, which occurred on Rote Island.

"Of course we regret the incident," Mirah said. "Up until now, the chief had a good track record and was popular among the people."

Mirah identified the officer only by his initials HB.

Mirah said HB had been arrested and would be dismissed based on the orders of the National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar.

Legal action would be taken against the officer, he said, but declined to give details on what charges he might face.

Mirah also said the local police were prepared if the family of the victim filed a lawsuit against them.

The victim, Arnoldus Adu, 28, was arrested on Monday and brought to a police station on the northwestern coast of Rote, Mirah said.

He was immediately taken outside the station, where HB poured gasoline over him to scare him into making a confession, said Mirah.

He then lit a cigarette, a spark from which ignited Adu's clothing, burning him to death, Mirah said. Officers tried to put out the blaze with water, but the victim died on Tuesday in hospital, he said.

Critics have long accused the Indonesian police of brutality. Rights groups allege that suspected criminals are often tortured during interrogation, especially in remote areas of the country.