Lawyers representing the families of three men shot dead by the police in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, claim that the deaths had elements of an “execution-style killing”, based on the evidence received by the families.
Counsel Rajesh Nagarajan said this information was obtained from a pathologist at the Malacca General Hospital, who reportedly informed him that one of the victims was shot from a top-to-bottom angle, with the bullet penetrating the nose and hitting the heart.
“The pathologist informed us that the angle of the shot was from top to bottom. If the shot was from the front, the bullet would enter and exit.
“Here, it entered the nose and went down to the heart, suggesting the victim was kneeling and was shot from above.
“This only happens if someone was kneeling and shot from above. This depicts ‘execution-style killing’,” he told reporters outside the Bukit Aman today.
Earlier, Rajesh, along with the families of the three victims, handed over an audio recording to the police, which was recorded by one of the victims’ wives when the incident allegedly occurred.
Rajesh added that the checks on the other two victims also showed a pattern of gunshot wounds fired from a top-to-bottom angle, although the entry points of the bullets were different.
‘No choice but to open fire’
Last week, Malacca police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar claimed that his team had no choice but to open fire at the men, aged between 24 and 29, after one of them swung a machete at a police officer at a palm oil plantation in Durian Tunggal.
The incident, which occurred at 4.30am, allegedly caused a corporal, in his early 30s, to suffer severe injuries to his left arm.
However, the family's lawyers completely rejected the police's version.
According to the lawyers, the audio recording indicates that the men were already in police custody for more than 10 minutes before they were shot and killed.
Latheefa berates cops
Another lawyer representing the victims' families, Latheefa Koya, questioned the police's justification for using lethal force against the victims on the argument that they were believed to be criminals.
“Since when did the police have the power to execute based on what they themselves claim someone to be?” she asked.
The former MACC chief commissioner also pointed out that the police often used reasons like “the victims are robbers” or “gang members” every time a fatal shooting occurs.
Citing an example, she referred to previous cases, including the killing of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah in 2010, as an example of how such incidents create doubt among the public.
Why probe for attempted murder?
In addition, Latheefa also questioned why the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit was investigating the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which covers attempted murder, when the victims had been shot dead.
“What is 307? Attempted murder. So, who attempted to murder whom? Did the dead victims attempt to murder the police?
“Why is it not investigated under Section 302, a murder case?” she asked.
Latheefa emphasised that not only are the victims’ families grappling with grief, but they also have to deal with accusations that the deceased were criminals.
“How do you know they are criminals? Was there an investigation? Were there any charges? Were they brought to court?
"In a nation of law, a person is only punished after being tried and convicted. Where is your humanity?” she asked.
Latheefa then urged the authorities to investigate the matter under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, adding that the attorney-general and the government must dispense justice to all without compromise. - Mkini
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