Man who died in lock-up was beaten by detainees on a cop's orders - Suhakam

 

A man who died while under custody at the Bentong District police headquarters lock-up last year had been beaten by two detainees on the instruction of a police officer, the Human Rights Commission found.

The commission said that G Jestus Kevin, who was detained for alleged theft last April, died as a result of swelling of the brain due to blunt force trauma, according to forensics.

"Suhakam, through a statement given by the forensics doctor, had confirmation that the deceased had many injuries, including broken ribs.

"Other detainees at the lock-up testified that the deceased was tied up using a blanket, and beaten by another detainee - as confirmed by CCTV recordings," Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph said in an online press conference today.

According to Jerald, an officer had ordered the other detainees to "tenteramkan" (control) Jestus Kevin, and watched while he was being beaten.

The officer did not take any action to save the deceased, the commission found.

The detainees who beat Jestus Kevin were also given cigarettes, allegedly as pay to "guard" the deceased.

According to Jerald, the deceased should have been taken for medical attention prior to the beatings, as he displayed signs of mental instability such as attempting suicide, speaking to himself, and climbing walls.

"Instead, the deceased continued to be detained and was then injured by other detainees in the cell," he said.

Suhakam identified those involved in the death

Suhakam has identified the detainees and officer involved in the death and called for stern action to be taken against them.

The commission also recommended for action to be taken against the officers who did not ensure Jestus Kevin's safety while under detention, despite showing signs of ill mental health.

Jestus Kevin, 30, was detained for alleged theft on Apr 2, 2020, and found dead three days later.

According to Bentong District police chief Yusof Unis, police personnel on duty found that the victim experienced breathing difficulty on Apr 5, and called for an ambulance.

He said when the ambulance arrived at lock-up, the victim was found dead.

Deaths in custody have been one of the primary reasons that activists have been pushing for the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

However, the Perikatan Nasional Plus government is instead pushing for a significantly watered down Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), which does not have the authority to punish errant officers. - Mkini