Peru prosecutors to probe transgender man's death in Bali
Prosecutors said Thursday they have opened an investigation into the death of a Peruvian transgender man who died this month after being detained on the Indones
LIMA, Peru — Prosecutors said Thursday they have opened an investigation into the death of a Peruvian transgender man who died this month after being detained on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali.
Peru’s Public Ministry said the probe by prosecutors who specialize in human rights will include an autopsy on Rodrigo Ventocilla, which had been demanded by LGBTQ activists amid allegations by the man’s family that he was tortured by Indonesian police.
Authorities in Indonesia have denied those claims, saying Ventocilla was not abused or mistreated. They say he died in a hospital Aug. 11 after complaining of stomach pains and showing signs of depression while in detention.
Peruvian officials said the investigation will look into allegations that Ventocilla suffered torture at the hands of two police officers and that Peru’s consul in Jakarta did not perform his duties in protecting Ventocilla. The investigation will also study allegations that Ventocilla’s Peruvian husband, Sebastián Marallanod, was tortured.
Julio Arbizu, a lawyer for Ventocilla’s family, said the investigation follows a complaint of torture that the family filed this week with the human rights prosecutor’s office.
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