Djemi Amnifu, Kupang – Two policemen from Rote Ndao regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), were reported to the provincial police headquarters for allegedly beating to death a key witness in a mutilation investigation in the regency.

NTT Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Jules Abast confirmed that his office had received a report on two police officers who allegedly beat a man to death.

"We have received the report. We will investigate the case thoroughly," Jules said on Saturday. Jules explained, however, that whether legal proceedings would ensue depended on the result of an internal investigation.

The case started when two police officers, Chief Brig. Josua Atacay and First Brig. Yosafat Baksuni, were assigned to arrest Heri Anabokai, a key witness in the mutilation of Martinus.

The police traced Heri and found he was working at an oil palm plantation in Empanang district, Kapuas Hulu regency in West Kalimantan. Both Josua and Yosafat were assigned to pick him up.

"The two policemen went from East Nusa Tenggara to West Kalimantan and were furnished with an arrest warrant. They showed the arrest warrant to the security guard of the company where Heri worked," Jules added.

However, Heri died on the way from Kapuas Hulu regency to Pontianak. The drive from Kapuas Hulu to Pontianak took 12 hours.

Jules emphasized that his office would investigate the case to determine whether there had been a procedural violation in the arrest of Heri. He added that the cause of Heri's death would be announced after an internal investigation. "Let's just wait for the result of the internal investigation," he said.

Basmat Anabocay-Zacharias, the wife of Heri, said she hoped the East Nusa Tenggara Police would seriously investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. She said she believed her husband died as a result of torture because there were bruises on his body.

She said her brother-in-law, Johanis, was present when Heri was arrested. "He [Johanis] saw the torture," Basmat alleged.

Meanwhile, West Kalimantan Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Suhadi SW said the two officers were being questioned over Heri's death. "We are also coordinating with the East Nusa Tenggara Police," he said.

Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar said his organization also received a report on the death of Heri, allegedly at the hands of two detectives. He lambasted the alleged torture.

"We demand the National Police chief pay serious attention and investigate the case thoroughly," he said as quoted by tempo.co.

Heri's body is being kept at the Bhayangkara Hospital. Forensic tests on his body are pending and will be conducted only after there is a conclusion on the result of the questioning of the two detectives.Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/10/03/two-police-members-reported-torture.html