Sosma 33: Lawyers accuse cops of lying to court about arrests

 

Two lawyers representing Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) detainees have accused two police officers of lying to the court.

This is over the arrest of their clients.

Thirty-three Sosma detainees - who were nabbed in September 2020 - are currently on trial at the High Court in Sungai Petani, Kedah over charges under Section 130v(1) of the Penal Code for being members of an organised crime group.

During today’s hearing, lawyer Burhanudeen Abdul Wahid - who represents G Ramesh and V Mahendrakumar - accused officer Norashikin Sharani of lying in her arrest report and to the court about the duo’s arrest.

Norashikin, who was formerly attached to the Kuala Muda district police headquarters, said in her report and her court testimony that she made the arrest of Ramesh and Mahendrakumar.

However, Burhanudeen claimed the two were already in custody when they were handed over to Norashikin by two inspectors who made the initial arrest.

Norashikin disagreed with this and insisted that she made two separate arrests.

The lawyer then alleged that she had the intention to lie by not mentioning the two inspectors in her report and court testimony.

At this point, deputy public prosecutor Saifuddin Rafiee then intervened and said there was no need to mention such details in the First Information Report (FIR).

Burhanudeen, however, clarified that it was not an FIR, but an arrest report.

More allegations of lies

Separately, lawyer Teh See Khoon - who represented K Muthusamy - accused police inspector Faiz Osman of lying about the number of times his client was arrested.

Faiz testified that he only arrested Muthusamy once.

However, Teh said Faiz arrested his client first on Sept 25, 2020 - but Muthusamy was released by the investigating officer then.

This, he alleged, led to Faiz arresting Muthusamy a second time.

Teh also told the court that Muthusamy was initially arrested for drug charges and not under Sosma.

Ramesh, Mahendrakumar, and Muthusamy are among 33 detainees who have spent the last 28 months behind bars after being arrested under Sosma.

Under Sosma, police are allowed to detain suspects without trial for 28 days after which they must be released or charged.

While the group was charged under the Penal Code, they have spent the last two years waiting for a trial date.

The trial, before judge Chan Jit Li, only began today.

The wives of the 33 men were among those who gathered at the court today and only left after the men were taken back to the Alor Setar prison at 6pm.

The hearing continues tomorrow. - Mkini