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)