UN says independent probe into Venezuelan captain's death is imperative

Venezuelan authorities must conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the death in custody of a navy captain amid allegations of torture, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Monday.

The wife of Rafael Acosta, who died after being detained on conspiracy accusations, said earlier on Monday the United Nations should investigate the cause of his death, amid widespread accusations he was tortured to death.

"I urge the authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation – including an autopsy meeting international standards – that is both independent and transparent. This is essential to shedding light not only on what happened to him but in order to facilitate bringing to justice those responsible for his death,” Bachelet said in a statement issued in Geneva.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)