The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today surprisingly arrested former air force Sergeant N. Tharmendran, who is already facing charges of stealing two fighter jet engines on April 30, 2008.
His lawyer N. Surendran said RMAF arrested Tharmendran, 42, outside the Shah Alam High Court at 11.45am and accused him of deserting the force although his services were terminated last May 28.
Surendran claimed the arrest was to stop Tharmendran (picture)from revealing details of the theft, which he claimed trial. The High Court had earlier set December 17 for a decision on Tharmendran’s application to strike out the charge for the theft of two fighter jet engines.
“I told them that Tharmendran is a civilian and the air force had no right to arrest him. But according to Air Force Provos Marshall Lt-Col Mohd Razif Razak, Tharmendran had been classified as a deserter for missing work since September,” he said.
“This is clearly contempt of court. The arrest is unlawful as my client is a civilian who had left the force. I will hold the Defence Ministry and air force liable for this,” the human rights lawyer said.
He added that he will file a habeas corpus application this afternoon apart from seeking contempt of court proceeding against the RMAF.
Surendran said he was told by the Mohd Razif that his client would undergo a medical examination and would be detained at the RMAF Batu Cantonment centre.
Tharmendran is accused of abetting Senior Airman Mohamad Shukri Mohamad Yusop in the theft at the Material Processing Shed, Matra 1 warehouse, at the air force base in Sungai Besi in 2008. Mohamad Shukri has yet to be charged for any offence.
Surendran said his client was just outside the court compound when the airmen approached his client and arrested him in front of his father N. Nagarajah.
The RMAF later confirmed that it arrested Tharmendran as he has failed to turn up for duty after paying his bail on September 6.
The Mindef Corporate Communication Unit said Tharmendran was still in active service and his absence was an offence under the Armed Forces Act 1972.
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