A tragic death has befallen Widi Nurcahyono, a resident of Gunung Gangsir Village, Beji District, Pasuruan Regency, shortly after he was detained by officers from the Beji Sector Police on Monday (3/8/2026). This incident has prompted demands from the family, who suspect violence and procedural violations during the arrest process.
The victim worked daily as an attendant at a utility payment counter (PPOB). The victim's older brother, Choirul Anwar, strongly denied police allegations that his brother was involved in online gambling. According to Choirul, when the arrest occurred, his brother was working, serving customers in front of a computer as usual, not gambling.
The family also questioned the validity of the arrest as the officers did not produce an official warrant. Choirul mentioned that several eyewitnesses at the scene heard painful screams from Widi, who begged for mercy and complained he could not breathe while being pinned down by the officers.
After being taken away in a police vehicle, Widi was rushed to a local health clinic. However, by the time the family arrived, medical staff declared that the victim had died. The family rejected the police's claim that the victim suddenly fainted due to shock, noting that the victim's physical condition was very healthy prior to his arrest.
Responding to the incident, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Beji Police, Inspector Binsar, stated that his side is conducting an internal investigation and questioning the officers involved. Meanwhile, police are still waiting for the autopsy results of the body to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, the Chief of Beji Police, Commissioner Akhmad Sukiyanto, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the case.
