BALINEWSID.COM, MEDAN — The death of Jopi Sembiring, a 28-year-old detainee held at Medan Class I Detention Center (Rutan Kelas I Medan), has been attributed by his family to a pre-existing illness, following his death at Bhayangkara Medan Hospital on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Jopi was a detainee placed at the detention center by the Sunggal Police Sector in connection with an alleged online gambling case. He had reportedly been held at the facility for approximately three weeks before his health condition deteriorated.

According to a written statement from his older sister, Elisya Br Sembiring, 34, the family rejected an autopsy and said they did not suspect or hold any party responsible for Jopi’s death.

The family also stated that Jopi’s death was not caused by other factors, contrary to rumors that had circulated following the incident.

Before being referred to the hospital, Jopi went to the detention center’s primary clinic at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, complaining of fever and nausea.

Medical staff examined him, provided treatment and monitored his condition. During the observation, however, his condition deteriorated. He began vomiting, his body temperature rose to as high as 42 degrees Celsius, and he subsequently lost consciousness.

Medical personnel also found an enlarged lymph node on the upper right side of his back. The detention center said the condition had existed before Jopi was detained and was not a condition that had newly developed during his detention.

As his condition continued to worsen, the on-duty doctor immediately coordinated with detention center officials and the authorities responsible for his detention. After the necessary administrative and medical documents were prepared, Jopi was urgently referred to Bhayangkara Medan Hospital for further treatment.

“From the moment he arrived at the clinic with health complaints, our medical staff immediately provided treatment and monitored his condition. When his condition deteriorated, we immediately coordinated with the relevant parties and took emergency referral measures. Our priority was the patient’s safety and medical care,” Medan Class I Detention Center Head Andi Surya said on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

After arriving at Bhayangkara Medan Hospital, Jopi was formally handed over to the authorities responsible for his detention for further medical treatment and procedures in accordance with their respective authorities.

However, following an examination in the hospital’s emergency department, doctors pronounced Jopi dead.

Andi Surya expressed condolences to Jopi’s family and reiterated that the detention center had provided medical services according to the detainee’s condition and had coordinated with the relevant authorities.

“The Medan Class I Detention Center extends its condolences over the death of Jopi Sembiring and assures that while he was under the detention center’s care, medical services were provided according to his condition, with safety as the priority and in coordination with the authorities responsible for his detention,” Andi said.