Civic groups and opinion leaders Thursday vowed to block the police from executing an autopsy warrant on a farmer, who died Sunday after being knocked unconscious by a police water cannon last year.

The Seoul Central District Court decided late Wednesday to issue a warrant for Baek Nam-gi’s autopsy, under condition that the police reach an agreement with the bereaved family on the location, observers and procedure. The warrant is valid until Oct. 25, and one or two members of Baek’s family, one or two doctor recommended by the family and a lawyer can be allowed to observe.

The police’s repeated attempts to examine the body of Baek against the wishes of his bereaved family has drawn nationwide criticism. Police have claimed the autopsy is necessary to figure out the exact cause of his death. The police -- currently facing a compensation suit by the bereaved families -- have not admitted to causing Baek’s death.

During a massive rally on Nov. 14, Baek was targeted by a police water cannon and knocked unconscious by a water blast from it. He was taken to a hospital, but never regained consciousness before succumbing to death Sunday. His immediate cause of death was given as acute renal failure.

Around 350 people, who defined themselves as a group against the state for Baek’s death, held a rally denouncing the police in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

“Although Baek’s family does not want an autopsy, the prosecution, police and the court are trying to push ahead with the autopsy. We cannot but suspect an attempt to conceal or distort (Baek’s) cause of death,” the group said in a statement, which was signed by 3,000 citizens.

During the rally, Baek Min-juhwa, the second daughter of the farmer, stated bluntly her family does not trust the police.

“I do not understand how the murderer (the police) can be responsible for uncovering the truth (behind my father’s death). ... We (the family) are absolutely against leaving my father’s body to the police that killed him, when the cause of death is clear,” she said.

Jeong Yeon-soon, leader of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, or Minbyun, contended police were intentionally disregarding existing evidence, including 10 months of medical records.

The position taken by police on Baek’s death has also drawn concern from outside the country.

Maina Kiai, the UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, said that the police’s use of the water cannon during the November rally had “unambiguously led to Mr. Baek’s death according to video footage available,” referring to a recording that shows the water cannon being blasted on a collapsed Baek.

“The perpetrators should be held accountable and the family of Mr. Baek receive appropriate compensation. In addition, adequate measures must be taken to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future,” he added.

No police or government official has issued an apology or accepted responsibility for Baek’s death. Kang Sin-myeong, who was the police chief last year, has refused to apologize or comment on the farmer’s death.

Rep. Roh Hoe-chan, the floor leader of the minor opposition Justice Party, defined the autopsy as “a plot to cover up the state’s murder” and vowed to work toward designating a special prosecutor to look into Baek’s death.

“Baek cannot be touched without his family’s consent. We will fight until the truth is out and those responsible are punished,” he said.

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)