The police are investigating two individuals in connection with the release of a four-minute animation based on the true story of a boy who testified to being tortured while under police custody with two of his friends.
Freedom Film Network (FFN) - organiser of the annual human rights documentary film festival FreedomFilmFest that premiered 'Chilli Powder & Thinner' on June 12 - said its co-founder Anna Har and cartoonist Amin Landak have been summoned to Bukit Aman for questioning at 2.30pm today.
Har and Amin are being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Sections 500 and 505B of the Penal Code.
"It is incredibly disturbing that the police have chosen to investigate artists and activists who raise serious concerns of custodial deaths, torture, abuse and misconduct by the police, instead of addressing the acts of violence and harm that have emerged repeatedly, especially in the past few months," FFN said last night.
"Why have the authorities chosen to go after the messenger, instead of addressing these urgent messages?
"We see these investigations as a form of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, including artists and storytellers," said the group in pledging solidarity with Har and Amin, also known for his 'Yak bok te!' comic corner for Cartoon Kini.
'Chilli Powder & Thinner' was produced by rights group Suaram based on the real-life experience of a 16-year-old boy who was arrested and beaten by the police along with two other individuals.
In the animation, they are shown being tied up and beaten with objects such as wooden sticks and rubber pipes, before their bodies were smeared with chilli powder and thinner.
The animation was also released following at least four widely-reported deaths in police custody from mid-April to June this year. - Mkini
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