TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) suspects a human rights violation had happened in the death of Batam resident Hendri Alfred Bakarie while being questioned at a police station.

“Looking at the victim’s condition through the documents we obtained, his death is strongly suspected due to violence,” said Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam in a written statement on Wednesday, August 12.

Hendri Alfred Bakarie was a prisoner who died in the Barelang Police station in Batam after he was picked up by the police officers on August 6 for charges linked to possession of illegal drugs. According to testimony from his relatives, authorities at the time of arrest did not show legal papers for the arrest.

Only two days after his arrest, relatives were permitted to visit Hendri. However, that was also the time they were informed about Hendri’s death and witnessed his bruised body laying down wrapped in plastic.

Choirul Anam said that the human rights commission had already communicated with the victim’s relatives and had appointed a PIC specifically tasked to oversee this case, which resulted in the complete chronology of the incident along with supporting documents.

Based on the initial information Komnas HAM received, Anam strongly suspects that the human rights violation had taken place upon enforcing the law. They had also issued a formal request for the Riau Islands Police to professionally investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

He also says a similar request had been sent to the Indonesian National Police headquarters.

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FRISKI RIANA