British forensics pathologist Peter Vanezis has claimed to have received a threat by email against him and his family.

teoh 2nd autopsy 221109 peter vanezis He lodged a police report last night at the Shah Alam police station, according to Abdul Razak Musa, the head of prosecution at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Vanezis (right) began testifying yesterday at the inquest into the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, whose body was found outside Plaza Masalam on July 16 last year.

"(Vanezis) found the threat offensive, intimidating and threatening," Abdul Razak told the court when the inquest resumed this morning.

"He feels duty-bound to finish his testimony, but stressed that he wants to return home as soon possible."

NONE He tendered a copy of the report to coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas and said the contents of the email had left Vanezis "uncomfortable".

According to a copy obtained later, Vanezis had told police: "I received an email after I gave evidence in court...The email was offensive and intimidating and also made reference to my family.

"I regard this email as an attempt to interfere the due process of the court by attempting to influence my evidence."  

Azmil said this is a serious matter, and that he wants parties to cooperate in narrowing down the scope of the inquest.

Azmil said there are two issues - the neck injury found on Teoh and the claims made in the observation report provided by Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand.

gobind singh deo jalan duta court 230409 05 Gobind Singh Deo (left) , the lawyer for Teoh’s family, said Vanezis had outlined various theories in his testimony.

As such, Gobind said it was his duty to raise these issues during cross-examination, which began yesterday afternoon.

However, the coroner directed that questioning be limited to Paragraph 17 and 18 of the Vanezis report .

These paragraphs state: 

17. I am not in a position to say categorically whether or not the deceased had been somehow physically forced out of the window whilst conscious although in my view from the evidence I have seen this appears unlikely.

18. I am also not able to say whether or not he had been subjected to some form of intimidation which may have led to his fall. This is a matter for others to give a view on as it is outside my area of expertise.

'Protect witnesses' 

Vanezis, here with his wife Maria who is also an expert in neck injuries, was scheduled to return home on Saturday, but is said to be keen to now leave earlier.

Gobind expressed deep concern over the alleged threat and asked the court to extend any assistance to protect Vanezis.

"It has becoming a common trend where witnesses [sic] in this inquest have been threatened.

NONE "Even our witness Pornthip (right) has been threatened and has said she is not willing to testify," he said.

"Such intimidation should not (occur). These are professional people and the apparent threats are a serious matter."

Gobind went on to say that “assurances have to be made by the government and the (home) ministry over the protection of witnesses".

When he completed testifying about 12.50pm, Vanezis left the court with his wife, under heavy MACC escort.

Reporters were barred from talking to him.

Meanwhile, when met by Bernama after wrapping up his testimony, Vanezis said that prior to this, he had received only one crank call in the past 35 years and that was related to a case in the United Kingdom.

He said he decided to go to the police because the e-mail made reference to his family, especially since his wife had accompanied him in Shah Alam.

"My concern was the e-mail was aimed to intimidate me to the extent it woud affect my testimony today. However as a professional, I should not be intimidated by such an e-mail.

"People should not get off with this kind of act. I hope the police will investigate," said the British professor who is no stranger to Malaysia.

He said he had been here several times to conduct external examinations for forensic science at Universiti Sains Malaysia and two other medical faculties.

Vanezis said the e-mail threat would not deter him and he would be happy to come back whenever his expert views are sought by any party.