Family of Pattani Man Who Died in Army Custody Seeks Justice

Body of Abdulloh Esomuso arrives for a funeral in Pattani province on Aug. 26, 2019.

BANGKOK — Relatives of a Muslim man who died after interrogation in Thai army custody say they’ll pursue justice in his case to see if his death was caused by torture.

Abdulloh Esomuso was arrested July 20 on suspicion of being a Muslim separatist insurgent and was found unconscious the next day in his cell at the Ingkhayut army base in the southern province of Pattani. He died in a hospital on Sunday.

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A undated file photo of Abdulloh Esomuso

A hospital statement said the cause of death was pneumonia, and Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan said Monday that Abdulloh’s death wasn’t caused by the government. The army has been accused repeatedly of using torture to combat an insurgency in the area.

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Abdulloh’s cousin Mohammad Rahmap Mame said his family won’t give up on finding out what happened.

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