Rizal Harahap, Pekanbaru, Riau – After months of investigation, six police officers have been arrested and named suspects for allegedly torturing a detainee. The arrested officers include five men and one woman.
The suspects stand accused of torturing Apriadi Pratama, 24, leading to his death in August. Apriadi, a contract worker for the regional administration of Meranti Islands, Riau, had been named a suspect in the death of a Meranti Islands Police officer, Brig. Adil Tambunan.
Apriadi's death sparked public anger and violent rallies against the police. One man was killed in the ensuing riots. Police rejected accusations of having shot the man, saying he had died after being hit by a stray rock.
Riau Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo said the police officers would get disciplinary punishment and would be tried in a public court. "The disciplinary violation is under the authority of the internal affairs division of Riau Police, while the alleged crime is [handled by] Riau Police's Criminal Investigation Department," he said Friday.
"We have detained them in separate places, some at Riau Police, others at Pekanbaru Police, but we are not keeping them with non-police detainees," he said. (evi)