Hisham lied: Kashgari deported for supporting Arab Spring and not for apostasy - Surendran

Today Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein claimed that he deported Hamza Kashgari because he did not want Malaysia to be a safe country for terrorists or those wanted by their country of origin. Hishamuddin's statement is clearly intended to mislead the public into thinking that Hamza is a criminal or terrorist who does not deserve our symphathies. This is completely untrue.

Hamza is a victim of political persecution by the Saudi authorities. It is a known and undeniable fact that the Saudi government is undemocratic and repressive. Hamza has been under Saudi police surveillance for many months. Hamza and others of the Saudi youth movement have been in support of the people of Syria in their uprising against the cruel Assad regime.

This is the real reason the Saudi authorities have taken so much trouble to extradite Hamza from Malaysia. The Saudi authorities fear the demand for reform and freedom by young men like Hamza and his friends. The allegation of blasphemy is only an excuse used by the Saudis to justify their persecution of Hamza.

Brutality assured

Contrary to the Home Minister's dismissal of claims that Hamza may be tortured, the Saudi police have a notorious reputation for brutality and abuse of prisoners. This behaviour of the Saudi police is well-documented and supported by witness testimonies. There is a very real basis for our fears for this young man''s life and safety.

Hishamuddin has also blatantly disregarded the provisions of section 8 of the Extradition Act 1992 which bars deportation if the offence is of a political character or if there may be prejudice in trial or imprisonment due to political reasons.

In these circumstances, it was unlawful for Hishamuddin to simply hand over Hamza to the Saudi authorities without taking into account the political nature of the case against Hamza. Hamza was also not allowed lawyers or permitted to present his case against deportation to Saudi Arabia.

The Home Minister and IGP have acted lawlessly and are in breach of Hamza's fundamental rights.

N Surendran is the PKR vice president