(Source from Reuters/Alamy)A transgender Peruvian who came on a honeymoon in Bali, Indonesia, died after being investigated by police on charges of drug crimes.The family members of the deceased demand an investigation, saying they suspect hate and assault against transgender people during the police investigation, but Indonesian police deny it.According to local media and foreign media including Antara News Agency on the 26th, Rodrigo Ventosilla (32) from Peru arrived in Bali by plane with her husband on the evening of the 6th.
The customs office in Bali found suspected cannabis and other drugs in his bag and handed Ventosilla over to the Bali police on the spot.Ventosilla vomited and complained of abdominal pain on the 8th during a police investigation. Police took him to the hospital, but Ventosilla died on the 11th while being treated at the hospital.In response, the police explained that he took an unknown drug during the police investigation and complained of abdominal pain afterwards. He also added that he had a history of taking various drugs to treat depression and schizophrenia and died of deterioration of kidney, liver, and nervous system functions.His family, however, said the exact cause of Ventosilla’s death had been blocked and called for further investigation.
In addition, during the investigation, assault, racism and transgender hate by Bali police are suspected, and they argue that this may be related to Ventosilla’s death.Students and faculty at Harvard Kennedy School in the U.S., where Ventosilla was studying, also said in the school newspaper that the case needs to be investigated.Police in Bali said there was no assault and the case was closed.In a related development, Peru’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “Arrest does not constitute racism or transgender hatred,” but asked, “Please strictly observe the human rights of the people of the two countries.” If so, you can disclose the autopsy or investigation records to determine the cause of death. I cannot doubt the reason for closing the case by expressing my position
JULIE KIM
ASIA JOURNAL
