Surabaya aid body investigates death

SURABAYA (JP): The Surabaya Legal Aid Office is investigating the death of a worker of the Maspion Group who was allegedly beaten during a clash between demonstrating workers and security forces on June 8.

The legal aid office said Lasimo, 35, died at his house in Pasuruan three days after the incident. Lasimo had received medical treatment for one day at Sidoarjo General Hospital.

"We immediately formed an investigation team after receiving the report several days ago from Lasimo's friends," the office's labor division director, Poengky Indarti, said Thursday.

Poengky said she had already sent letters to local authorities and Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto demanding a thorough investigation of the case.

East Java Police chief Maj. Gen. M. Dayat said the police had questioned eight security officers over their alleged involvement.

Dayat also said that Lasimo's body would be unearthed for an autopsy. (nur)