A transgender
man traveling on his honeymoon in Indonesia was arrested and died under
suspicious circumstances earlier this month, according to his family.
Rodrigo
Ventocilla Ventosilla, 32, arrived in Indonesia on August 6th and was detained
by customs officials, who claim they seized an herb grinder, prescription
medications and a half-pound of cannabis edibles carried in his luggage.
According to
the Harvard
Crimson, Ventocilla, from Peru, was a master’s candidate at the Harvard
Kennedy School of Government and was a founding member of the Peruvian trans
rights advocacy organization Diversidades Trans Masculinas.
In a statement
released Tuesday, the families of Ventocilla and his spouse, Sebastián
Marallano, allege Ventocilla was arrested in an “act of racial discrimination
and transphobia,” deprived of basic rights, and subjected to police violence
while his family and lawyers were denied access and information about his
condition.
Marallano was
detained by authorities after he arrived on a separate flight and attempted to
aid Ventocilla. He was later released without charge.
Bali Police
told Indonesian news outlet Bali Radar that three days into
his detention, Ventocilla consumed unseized drugs. Police said he was taken to
Bhayangkara Hospital after experiencing stomach pain and vomiting. When his
condition deteriorated, he was transported to the Sanglah Central General
Hospital, where he died on August 11.
“The cause of
death is a complete failure of body function that causes impaired kidney
function and impaired liver and nervous system function to the patient’s
brain,” Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto, a Bali Police spokesman said.
“The
Indonesian police obstructed access to the hospital at all times to the lawyers
hired by the family, as well as the Harvard students who came to their aid,”
the family wrote. “We do not know the real causes of his death” because “the
Indonesian authorities have not allowed” an independent autopsy.
The family
alleges Bali police demanded “exorbitant sums of money,” up to $200,000, to
free Ventocilla and Marallano from custody.
As well, the
family says, Peruvian consulate officials in Indonesia “did not show up to
provide support” until after news of Ventocilla’s death.
“The
consulate’s actions were late, negligent and hindered the family’s request for
help when Rodrigo was still alive,” the family’s statement said.
On Wednesday,
the Peruvian Foreign Ministry defended its actions.
“The Consular
Section of the Peruvian Embassy in Indonesia has been providing consular
assistance and following up on the case, within the framework of its
competencies and with respect for local laws, while maintaining uninterrupted
communication with their families.”
A lawyer for
the couple’s families responded, demanding “a process that determines those
responsible for the torture, extortion and violation of human rights that led
to the death of Rodrigo.”
SOURCE: LGBTQ NATION
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