Detained police officer found dead in Surabaya

SURABAYA: A police officer facing trial for drug possession was found hanged in an unused bathroom at Medaeng Penitentiary in Surabaya, East Java.

East Java Police said that First Adj. Rusdil Hanif (40) was found dead at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. His body was later taken to the Bhayangkara Police Hospital for an autopsy.

Police said they had not found any signs of foul play and ruled Rusdil's death a suicide.

Rusdil, who was posted at Waru Sidoarjo Police office, was arrested in June for allegedly possessing 0.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

"His trial was next week. He was probably scared and decided to commit suicide," Waru Sidoarjo Police chief Adj. Comr. Naufil Hartono said.

Rusdil was facing a maximum five years in jail if convicted. - JP