Suspected sex offender dies in custody

Suspected sex offender dies in custody

JAKARTA (JP): A man suspected of having had sexual relations with underaged boys has died in the Kramat Jati police hospital as a result of kidney problems, police said.

Major Endang Sanjaya of the East Jakarta police said yesterday that the 49-year-old suspect, who was arrested last month, had been in the hospital for 11 days before he died.

The man's body was sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital for an autopsy.

The suspect was arrested by police early last month at his house in Cipinang, East Jakarta, after complaints were received about his conduct.

On the night of his arrest the suspect, who played in a music band, had reportedly brought home a 12-year-old boy at about midnight.

Police said they also found a 14-year-old boy in the suspect's house. They said he had been locked up in the house for two weeks.

The suspect, who was initially placed in detention at the Duren Sawit police precinct, admitted to being a homosexual and to having a preference for underaged boys.

Police say that at least four other boys had also been sexually abused by the suspect.

The suspect faced charges of sexual abusing children, which carries a maximum sentence of five years prison. (01)