Cops arrest suspect in acid attack on footballer

 

Police have arrested a man in his 20s over yesterday's acid attack against national football player Faisal Halim.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said they are set to acquire a remand order against the suspect today.

"We have recorded statements from three individuals so far, including the victim.

"Police have also arrested a man in his 20s, who will be remanded today," he told Malaysiakini.

The suspect was picked up yesterday, Hussein added.

Investigators are expected to interview several more witnesses to facilitate a probe into the incident at a shopping mall in Damansara, Selangor.

The incident saw Faisal, who is also a Selangor FC winger, rushed to a private hospital where he received treatment for injuries sustained from the acid attack.

Second attack

Police have yet to respond to a query on whether they have established a motive for the attack.

According to media reports, this was the second incident involving a national footballer within three days, after Akhyar Rashid was assaulted in Terengganu on Friday.

While the incident was suspected to be a robbery, Harian Metro reported that two assailants allegedly targeted Akhyar's legs when they attacked him using weapons that looked like steel batons.

Asked whether there was any connection between the two incidents, Hussein said an investigation was ongoing and it was still too early to conclude.