Ganug Nugroho Adi – Residents of Klaten regency in Central Java are demanding that the government and National Police reveal the true cause of death of alleged terrorist Siyono amid allegations of abuse to provide justice for the deceased's family.
Dozens of residents group under the Caring About Klaten Community voiced their demands in a protest march from the regency's square to the Klaten Legislative Council (DPRD) on Tuesday.
Carrying posters, the protestors demanded that Siyono's death case be handled objectively and transparently. The protestors also demanded that the authorities punish those found to be involved in Siyono's death.
"We don't agree with terrorism. We only want the government, especially the police, to not cover anything up," said protest coordinator Muslih on Tuesday.
The residents also asked authorities to restore security and comfort in Pogung village, the hometown of Siyono and where he was buried, after his autopsy is completed and case is closed. The residents claimed that the case traumatized residents and incited fear, Muslih said.
Klaten DPRD speaker Agus Riyanto said he would convey protestors' demands to the regent, Klaten Police chief and military commander at the local leaders meeting.
Siyono died while in police custody after he was arrested on March 8 by the National Police's Densus 88 antiterror squad. Siyono's family and several human rights groups suspect that physical abuse led to his death.
Siyono's body underwent an autopsy by a team of 10 doctors facilitated by Islamic organization Muhammadiyah's youth wing on Sunday. Preliminary autopsy results found bruises from a blunt object on Siyono's body.
"We suspect there had been physical abuse. We also found that he sustained bone injuries," said lead doctor Gatot Suharto, adding that no gunshots wounds were found on the body. The team will announce the autopsy results next week. (rin)