BEIJING prosecutors charged two police officers with negligence, nearly two months after a man’s death in their custody sparked concern over abuse.

    The prosecutor’s office said Thursday that an autopsy revealed Lei Yang’s suffocation was caused by food content inhaled into his respiratory system.

    The office said police had acted improperly in detaining Lei, who was interrogated on suspicion of visiting prostitutes in a foot massage parlor in the capital’s suburban district of Changping on the night of May 7.

    The officers from Dongxiao-kou Police Station, identified as deputy director surnamed Xing and an auxiliary police officer surnamed Zhou, allegedly played a leading role in the incident and interfered with investigations following Lei’s death, the procuratorate said, but gave no further details.

    Shortly after Lei’s death, police released a statement that claimed the 29-year-old refused to cooperate, was forcibly taken into a vehicle and died suddenly on the way to a police station.

    In the statement, police said Lei was stopped outside a foot massage salon at 9:14 p.m. May 7, but refused to cooperate with officers and was handcuffed after attempting to escape.

    He was taken to a hospital at 10:05 p.m. after appearing to be unwell in the police car and was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m., the statement said.

    Lei’s family questioned the police account, while the police tried to divert public attention to Lei’s questionable morals.

    (SD-Agencies)