A lawyer acting for one of the individuals detained on suspicion of involvement in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) today criticised Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador for demanding the complainant to show proof of being mistreated.
"You placed them incarcerated in Bukit Aman and then Sungai Buloh prison, shouldn't you deliver the closed-circuit television (CCTV) or lock-up diary to prove there were no abuses?
"I think he (Hamid) needs to first prove there are CCTVs placed inside the interrogation room, prison or even lock-up," T Rajasekaran, who is also MIC Legal Bureau head, told Malaysiakini.
"It’s not as if there has never been death or abuse in police custody in the last few years. So pardon my apprehension over your statement that there has never been any abuse here," he said.
Five out of 12 suspects who were charged with supporting the now-defunct terrorist group LTTE have complained of mistreatment, torture or intimidation during their detention.
Rajasekaran represents scrap metal dealer A Kalaimughilan (above), 28, who was charged in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur.
Last Friday, judge Azura Alwi fixed Nov 8 to decide whether there is a need to instruct the Magistrate's Court to examine the matter.
Kalaimughilan was allegedly kept in a separate dark cell where he couldn't communicate with others.
MIC Legal Bureau also pointed out that in another court, presided by judge Azman Ahmad, three other accused persons - S Thanagaraj, M Pumugan and S Chandru - were also kept in a dark cell.
However, the judge asked the defence counsel to bring up the matter during the next mention date fixed on Dec 23.
"It is now the duty of the court to evaluate the complaints given and not for the other parties to play the blame game. So, let the court decide independently without any remarks by any party," said Rajasekaran.
He also asked if the police want to show the human rights group Suaram the living condition where detainees were held.
"Why continue to still take statements after they have been charged? Why ask the family members to give statements after the accused have been charged in court?" asked Rajasekaran.
Lawyer MV Yoges, who also represents Kalaimughilan, told Malaysiakini that her client complained of a knife being used when his statement was taken by the police. - Mkini
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