Activist who exposed Sosma torture claims nabbed at TPPA rally

Coordinator for human rights group Suaram, Amir Abd Hadi, was arrested by police after the anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) protest ended this evening.

Bersih activist Mandeep Singh, who was with him, told Malaysiakini that police arrested Amir under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"It was 4.20pm. Amir, another friend and I were walking towards Masjid Jamek LRT when two police officers approached us.

"One of the police officers called ASP Saiful asked for our identity cards and we asked for their authority card, which they showed.

"But they took particular interest in Amir and said they needed to bring him back to Dang Wangi district police headquarters for questioning," he said.

Section 105 of the CPC allows the police to arrest without warrant if he or she believes a seizable offence may be committed.

Mandeep added the police explained that they have received instructions from above to bring in Amir.

Mandeep said he was puzzled over why Amir was arrested.

"He did not even speak at the anti-TPPA rally; all he did was chant slogans," said Mandeep.

Amir had on Monday exposed letters from detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), which claimed that they were tortured in detention.

In one of the letters, a detainee claimed that he was forced to kiss the foot of his investigating officer, forced to masturbate while they watched, forced to watch pornographic videos with the officers, and forced to make a pronouncement of divorce upon his wife (lafaz taklik cerai).

In response, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had asked the complainants to lodge a police report so police can investigate.

Police confirmation

Meanwhile, Dangi Wangi district police chief Zainol Samad confirmed one arrest was made at the anti-TPPA rally.

"An arrest was made against a Malay male at Jalan Tun Perak because he is suspected of being part of the anarchist group which police had conducted arrests prior to this.

"The arrest was made to prevent any untoward incident," he said.

Police had yesterday said it arrested six men for vandalising public property by spraypainting the anarchist symbol.

Zainol said the rally went smoothly and estimated the crowd to be between 5,000 to 7,000.

Amir was released more than two hours later, according to activist Hasbeemasputra Abu Bakar.

"Amir (has been) released after having his statement and urine taken.

"Note, the urine test was irrelevant to his charge," he said in a Twitter posting.-Mkini