Two detainees die in Purwokerto

Two detainees die in Purwokerto

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Two detainees may have been beaten
to death by security officers for attempting to escape, a police
officer said yesterday.

The authorities at the state detention house claimed the
detainees died of an unknown "illness" but there are widespread
rumors the two died from torture.

Wonosobo Police Precinct Chief Lt. Col. L. Bambang S said the
bodies of Tujiono, 23, and Munajam, 23, had been sent to a
hospital for autopsy.

Munajam had been detained for treachery and Tujiono for
robbery. Their attempt to escape from the detention house Feb. 9
through a concrete pipe was foiled and they ended up black and
blue.

Munajam died in hospital Thursday and Tujiono Friday
afternoon, Antara reported.

"The detention house authorities claimed the two died of an
illness but we have yet to prove it," Bambang said. (pan)