Adinda Trisaeni Nur Sabrina, Novianti Setuningsih, Surabaya – The Alliance of Indonesian and Papuan Ex-Political Prisoners and Convicts is urging the authorities to open an investigation into the death of Alfarisi bin Rikosen, a detainee who died while incarcerated at the Class I Medaeng Detention Centre in Surabaya, East Java.
Alliance representative Tri Agus Susanto Siswowiharjo said that an investigation is necessary to uncover the cause of the detainee's illness and subsequent death during detention.
"How can a detainee get sick and die? We must find out who is responsible", Siswowiharjo said when contacted by Kompas.com on Friday January 2.
According to Siswowiharjo, detainee deaths are a matter of public concern so the investigation process cannot be conducted behind closed doors.
He believes that transparency during the investigation is crucial for the public to know the cause of death and to ensure state accountability.
"Yes, it must be open to the public because this is a public matter, because a detainee died", he said.
The Alliance also highlighted Alfarisi's physical condition while in detention. Siswowiharjo said that a thorough investigation is needed into the weight loss experienced by Alfarisi before his death.
"It must be investigated to determine the cause of the weight loss experienced by the detainee who subsequently died", he said.
In terms of accountability, Siswowiharjo asserted that the head of the detention centre has direct responsibility for all detainees under their authority. Meanwhile in structural terms, responsibility also lies at the ministerial level.
"In this context, yes, it goes to the head of the detention centre, because the head of the detention centre is responsible for all detainees who are in the detention centre. Above the head of the detention centre is the Minister of Justice", he said.
Siswowiharjo then explained that the legal consequences for a detainee's death can vary depending on the results of the investigation.
"The legal consequences can be administrative or criminal. If a detainee dies due to inadequate facilities leading to illness and death, that falls under the realm of negligence or administrative. But if it's intentional, torture, or not fed, that's a criminal offense", he said.
Pushing for improvements
Furthermore, the alliance urges the government to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the Indonesian detention system to make it more humane.
"The government must transform all detention centres into humane ones, and prisoners' rights must be fulfilled", said Siswowiharjo.
The Alliance hopes that the results of the investigation into Alfarisi's death will not stop with determining the cause of death but will also become a basis for improving the national detention system.
"The Alliance hopes the investigation will determine the cause of Alfarisi's death and that the results will serve as pressure for all detention centres to improve services and protection for prisoners", he said.
As has been reported, Alfarisi bin Rikosen died in the Class I Surabaya Detention Centre in Waru District, Sidoarjo Regency, on December 30, 2025. He was arrested and detained in relation to the wave of demonstrations in August and September last year.
According to the head of the detention centre, Tristiantoro Adi Wibowo, before his death the defendant who was charged under Emergency Law Number 12/1951, was taken to the detention centre's health clinic before his death due to convulsions.
He also suspects that Alfarisi experienced respiratory failure before being declared dead.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aliansi Mantan Napi Politik Desak Kematian Alfarisi di Rutan Medaeng Diselidiki".]
