The French consulate in Penang has urged for the release of one of its citizens jailed for "indecent behaviour" last November.
Teoh Seng Aun, a representative of the embassy in Penang, said that 47-year-old French national Herve Flambeaux needs to be freed so that he can seek treatment for his psychiatric condition in his home country.
"We are kept in the dark about the case, and the French consulate is very worried about their citizen.
"All we want is for him to return to his country safely to seek proper treatment, as we are worried he might be treated unfairly in prison," he said when met in Bukit Gelugor today.
Flambeaux was found in backpacker's haven Chulia Street in November last year, in what a police source described as a "drunk and naked" state. He was said not to have his travel documents with him at the time.
He was said to have attempted to resist arrest, but was eventually taken to a lockup in Bayan Baru before being transferred to the Penang Remand Prison, where he has been held since.
Flambeaux was charged under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty.
Diagnosed with psychiatric disorder
According to Teoh, Flambeaux has been certified by a psychiatrist as suffering from a chronic psychiatric disorder.
He cited a letter dated Dec 10 – written by a Dr J Compoint from the Ville Evrard Public Health Institution in Paris – certifying that Flambeaux was suffering from such a condition.
"He has been seeking treatment from this institution since 2005 and his last prescription was on Aug 27 last year," Compoint stated in the letter, which was delivered to the French consulate by the Flambeaux's stepsister.
Flambeaux had also been issued with three months of medication supply.
Teoh visited the prisoner on the morning of Dec 21, accompanied by an interpreter, and said the prisoner told them he just wants to go home and seek further medical treatment.
He added that the French consulate will write to the Attorney-General's Chambers to seek further action on the matter. - Mkini
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