CHUTZPAH: North Korea claims it is ‘biggest victim’ in Otto Warmbier’s death, vows to get tough with the U.S.
“The fact that Warmbier died suddenly in less than a week just after his return to the U.S., is a mystery to us as well,” the statement continues, noting that his health indicators were “normal” at the time of release.
Warmbier died June 19, just days after being returned to the U.S. in a coma after having been detained in North Korea in early 2016 on allegations of stealing a propaganda poster. U.S. doctors noted that Warmbier had suffered extensive brain damage, but could not determine the cause. He was laid to rest on Thursday, but no autopsy was performed, due to his family’s wishes.
North Korea officials claimed the 22-year-old, who is believed to have been in a comatose state for more than a year, contracted botulism and fell into a coma after being given a sleeping bill. However, doctors have rejected such an explanation and his parents also have refuted those claims – instead vowing that their son was “brutalized and terrorized” while imprisoned.