'Prison inmates had pepper sprayed on their privates during quarantine'

 

The families of 10 prison inmates have filed police reports after their incarcerated relatives claimed to have been abused while being quarantined at the Jelebu Prison in Negeri Sembilan.

Among the allegations is that the inmates' genitals and anuses were pepper-sprayed causing them to be unable to urinate or defecate.

Some family members wept while telling the media of their relatives' ordeals at a press conference in Cheras today.

One of them, R Lavaniyaa, said her husband B Kalaiarasan was contemplating suicide.

"He said 'If I stay inside I will die in prison. I will either kill myself or be beaten to death' said Lavaniyaa. She was too overwhelmed to continue speaking.

Her words were translated by NGO Sebaran Kasih deputy president, pastor Prince Jon.

According to her police report, on April 8 her husband and 21 other detainees were transferred from the Sungai Udang Prison in Malacca to be quarantined for 14 days at the Jelebu Prison after returning from the Seremban courts.

There, they were allegedly beaten by prison officers using PVC pipes while they were still handcuffed before being beaten by others using canes, pipes, chairs, wood pieces and other objects for what he claimed was for an hour.

Some of those who allegedly attacked the inmates wore plain clothes including shorts and slippers.

After the beating, they were then ordered into a room in pairs of two, told to take off their pants and underwear before a prison guard allegedly pepper sprayed their private parts.

They were then reportedly told to lie on the floor naked. Lavaniyaa claimed that according to Kalaiarasan, the inmates were later subjected to more beatings that carried on into the night.

Her brother-in-law's wife Elisha Teh, who was present, said they met Kalaiarasan on April 27 - the first time they'd met this year. During that meeting, Kalaiarasan complained that his genitals were still bleeding.

None of the 22 detainees allegedly abused and beaten received hospital treatment except for one person who was hospitalised because of tuberculosis.

According to Prince Jon, so far 10 of the detainees' family members have filed police reports but 12 others have not done so as they have not been able to meet their incarcerated relatives.

According to Elisha, police informed them that prison authorities had lodged a report over the incident as well but with a different narrative.

Jon also expressed concern over allegations that only half of those who were quarantined at the Jelebu Prison were sent back to the Sungai Udang Prison including Kalaiarasan.

He said the fate of those still quarantined at the Jelebu Prison is unknown.

According to the pastor, all 22 inmates were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) in 2019 for alleged involvement in organised crime.

Elisha said the detainees are appealing their detention but the next court hearing is only scheduled for August.

A Ganapathy

The allegations of abuse come two weeks after the death of A Ganapathy in police detention. Ganapathy was arrested on Feb 24 to facilitate investigations over his sibling who was wanted by the police.

He was released on March 8 but was admitted to the Selayang Hospital's intensive care unit. He reportedly told his mother that police had beaten him with a rubber hose.

While at the hospital, Ganapathy was confirmed to have kidney problems and his legs had to be amputated. He died at the hospital on April 18. 

The family's lawyer said an autopsy revealed the death was due to injuries to his legs and shoulders. - Mkini