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NDONESIA: University student Sondang Hutagalung, who apparently burned himself alive in front of the Merdeka State Palace on Dec. 7, died after an intensive care team tended to his severe burn injuries at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Central Jakarta on Saturday at around 5:50 p.m.

Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence and Law and Human Rights Advocacy (Kontras) division Chrisbiantoro confirmed the information, as quoted by kompas.com.

The 22-year-old Sondang, who was at the class of 2007 of Jakarta’s Bung Karno University Law School, was known to be actively involved in a number of anti-government protests.

One of his theatrical rallies was lying in a coffin with his mouth sewn shut in protest against the increases in fuel prices.

His recent immolation was reportedly a part of his concern over the country’s direction. Sondang was not formally identified for a few days after the incident because he was badly burned, and was only identified after police confirmed a DNA test.

Sondang was the youngest of four siblings and the son of Victor Hutagalung, who works as a taxi driver, and Dame Sipahutar, a housewife.