Two prisoners in Bandung found dead

Two prisoners in Bandung found dead

BANDUNG: Two police detainees in Bandung have reportedly died over the last two days, in two different places.

Udung Surahman, 50, a suspected masterminder of a vendors riot in Bandung died in Hasan Sadikin Hospital on Sunday night. Sukirman, 37, a suspected thief took his own life in the bathroom of the Cicendo police subprecinct the previous night.

According to other vendors, who were also detained at Bandung's police precinct, Udung fell ill after being tortured by the police officers. They said that there were some bruises on his face when he died.

But the police detective head of the Bandung police precinct, Adj. Sr. Comr. Masguntur Laupe denied the vendors' explanation. "Udung's death was caused by a stroke. His family and doctors have stated that he had suffered from high blood pressure," he told the press in Bandung on Monday.

Udung was arrested because he was suspected to have masterminded a vendors riot that had damaged 20 cars and broken the windows of the city hall, where the vendors held a demonstration.

Sukirman was arrested because he stole jewelry worth Rp 75 million. --JP