Czech Police say prisoner killed himself, his relatives don't believe it, dozens of Romani community members protest outside the prison

The Czech Police are investigating the death of a 43-year-old prisoner who was serving his sentence in the Nové Sedlo Prison. According to police, the prisoner attempted suicide and died thereafter.

Relatives of the man, however, do not believe that version of events and are asserting that he did not cause his own death. Several dozen members of the Romani community gathered in front of the prison just after noon today to light candles in commemoration.

"We're investigating the suicide of a man, born in 1979, that happened in the Nové Sedlo Prison. The man, who left a good-bye letter, attempted to hang himself in his cell on Monday, where the members of the prison service found him," Ústecký Regional Police spokesperson Daniel Vítek told news server Novinky.cz. 

The prisoner was transferred to hospital, where he died on Tuesday. "An autopsy has been ordered to clarify the cause of death. Third-party involvement was not ascertained," the police spokesperson added. 

Relatives of the deceased do not believe that version of events and say the man did not commit suicide. Referencing testimony from his fellow prisoners, the relatives of the 43-year-old allege he was beaten by a guard prior to his death. 

Yesterday the relatives agreed with other Romani community members through social media to assemble in front of the prison today at 13:00. Several dozen people arrived at the scene and lit candles in front of the prison.

Those who attended spoke of guards beating and bullying prisoners and demanded a thorough investigation of the entire case. "I don't believe this guy took his life," Romani community member David Mezei, who attended the demonstration in front of the prison, told the media.

About 20 police officers supervised the assembly. People dispersed after 14:00.