[Lauchenoiria]

Kerlian News Service

International Edition

Anita Patel found dead in Sanctarian prison cell
18th July 2020

Former Councillor Anita Patel was found dead in her cell in a Sanctarian prison on Thursday morning. News of her death was withheld until the completion of an autopsy today; however, it is thought she died sometime between 2 and 5am Sanctarian time on Thursday morning. Her death is being treated as suspicious. Sanctaria has extended its sympathies to the Patel family and assured an independent investigation.

Patel was found hanged in her cell on Thursday morning, but an autopsy found cotton fibers in her lungs, as if she had been smothered with a pillow. An independent investigation will be carried out into her death by the Sanctarian authorities. Following her death, Sanctaria is also increasing its security on the cells of all other individuals from the Second Lauchenoirian Civil War being held in Sanctarian prisons.

Former Councillor Patel was being held in Sanctaria after being convicted of the mistreatment, torture and execution of Prisoners of War during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission trials held in Sanctaria last year. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and was extradited to Sanctaria on the 30th July 2019. Patel was responsible for overseeing the treatment of POWs held in Kerlile during the SLCW.

Current Councillor Nirmala Patel, daughter of Anita, responded to news of the death of her mother by retreating to her family home and tying a black ribbon to the gates, a symbol of mourning in Kerlile that has often been used by families who believe the death of their loved one was unjust. It has been used in the past by families of those executed for political crimes; hence its usage by a Council family is likely to provoke controversy.

A Council released a statement on the matter, saying: “our thoughts and prayers go to the Patel family at this terrible time. Councillor Nirmala Patel will be taking a break from her duties throughout this period. We await the results of the independent investigation into Anita Patel’s death, and we will be happy to cooperate with the Sanctarian authorities on this matter in any way they may wish.”

Anita Patel was born on the 14th January 1949 in Maytown, Kerlile, the first of her family to be born in the Matriarchy. She studied Feminist Literature and Film at Maytown University, graduating in 1971. She sat on the Council of Kerlile from November 1992 until January 2019 when she was incarcerated. She was the Chair of the Council from 2016, and served as Kerlile’s chief negotiator in the peace talks in Haven following the end of the SLCW. She was 71 years old, and leaves behind two daughters, five granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.