Police 'Take Over' Protestor's Body

Police have seized the body of a young man reported to have died as a result of beatings he received from police officers. The body was being prepared for burial in accordance with Islamic tradition but the police seized it from the family for autopsy. Salisu Ahmed died Friday morning after returning from a picket at the Bureau of National Investigations offices where supporters of the New Patriotic Party went to solidarise with detained former information Minister, Stephen Asamoah Boateng. Family members say he collapsed while preparing for dawn prayers and died while being rushed to the hospital. Commenting on the allegations that the young man had been beaten by police, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Atinga Bio, said whoever had proof should provide it. She said the body of the late Ahmed was taken because the family was breaking the law by planning to bury the deceased without informing the police. According to her, the laws of the land require that persons who die unnatural deaths ought to be reported to the police for an inquisition. "What they were going to do by preparing the body right away for burial was criminal," she stated. She told Joy FM that after autopsy, the police will launch an investigation into the cause of death of the NPP supporter but emphasized that the burden of proof of police complicity lies with those making the allegation.