Police arrested a Beijing police officer and an auxiliary policeman on Thursday in connection with the mysterious death of a man while in police custody, South China Morning Post reports.
The case garnered worldwide attention over concerns of police brutality back in May. In June, five police officers from the Changping District, where the incident occurred, were put under formal investigation.
READ MORE: Truth Demanded After Beijing Man Dies in Police Custody
Lei, a 29-year-old environmental scientist and new father, was detained by police on the night of May 7 for allegedly soliciting a prostitute at a foot massage parlor. According to a statement released by the Changping district public security bureau in May, Lei was spotted leaving a massage parlor at 9.14pm on May 7. Police arrested him for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. According to officers, Lei resisted arrest, escaped from the police car and was caught by officers at 9.45pm. He was then taken to the hospital at 10.05pm, where he died at 10.55pm.
Police made claims that Lei died of a heart attack. However, it has now been revealed that he suffocated on gastric fluid.
The suspicious circumstances and conflicting stories surrounding the death of the Renmin University graduate sparked outrage both in and outside of China and left many alleging that this was a case of police brutality.
Lei’s family has also claimed that upon viewing the body they noticed numerous bruises on his head and arms. They filed a formal complaint with the municipal prosecution’s office in May alleging police misconduct and abuse.
[Image via The Guardian]
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