The death of the schoolboy, identified by his initials AM, has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for police reform after news reports about the alleged police brutality made the rounds on social media.

In one event in Jakarta on Wednesday, the uncle of AM spoke up against what he described as attempts to hinder the family from seeking justice.

In one instance, the uncle said, officials from the police hospital in Padang had made it difficult for the family to retrieve the body even though the autopsy had been completed.

“The body must stay here, it must be washed and shrouded here," he recalled a staff member saying, as quoted from tempo.co.

In another instance, the uncle said, the police appeared to try to discourage the family from requesting a second autopsy. He recalled that the police said the family “must pay Rp 20 million [US$1,224] if it wants a second autopsy”.

The body of AM was found under a bridge with multiple injuries on June 9, and his family alleged that he died after being tortured by police officers, who stopped him and his friends on suspicion of attempting to start a brawl.

West Sumatra Police have denied the allegations, saying AM died when his fractured ribs punctured his lungs, a fatal injury the police said AM sustained after jumping from a 12-meter-high bridge to avoid police capture.

On Wednesday, the police denied any intimidation against AM's family. (dds)