The Suaram intern arrested while putting up Bersih 3.0 posters in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) grounds in Penang has been charged with “criminal trespassing”.

NONE Tan Hong Kai ( left ) was arrested on April 20, the first individual to be detained in relation to the rally for clean and fair elections.

According to a Suaram press release, the charge was made by the Penang magistrate's court today, and the case will be mentioned on June 8.

Tan was detained at the Sungai Nibong police station on April 20 for nearly 12 hours, from 4.15am to 5pm the same day.

The NGO has called on the attorney-general to withdraw the charges against Tan as the freedom of expression is guaranteed not only under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also in the Federal Constitution.

The 21-year-old youth was reportedly stopped by a USM campus security guard between 2am and 3am on April 20, while he was going about his task.

The USM security personnel - known only as Saiful - then brought him to the Sungai Nibong police station, where he lodged a police report against Tan for trespassing.

Tan had explained that he was not stopped by USM security guards when he first entered, and that he had visited the campus many times before.

Police advised him to get permission from university officials should he wish to put up any posters in the future as the university grounds is private property.