Despite the prospect of not seeing her husband P Uthayakumar for the next two and a half years, S Indra Devi said her sadness was mixed with pride over his steadfast resolve.

NONE In a short telephone interview with Malaysiakini after Uthayakumar was sentenced today, Indra Devi ( right in photo ) said her husband was jailed for fighting a just cause.

“He knows what he’s doing and will continue doing it till the end. He’s doing his best in fighting for (causes plaguing the) Indians,” said Indra, in between her sobs.

Indra Devi was not at the court today and was unable to bid her husband goodbye. Uthayakumar was brought to the Kajang prison after the sentence was read.

She said she "was shocked". She did not know that he would be jailed so soon.

"It was wrong. This shouldn't happen to those who speak the truth," she stressed.

Thankful for support

Indra Devi thanked her husband's supporters for standing by them over the past few years to highlight issues affecting the Indian community such as custodial deaths and statelessness, among others.

“They are lovely people who have always been there for us - even until today. I thank them for everything,” she said.

Uthayakumar had been sentenced today after being found guilty of publishing seditious statements in 2007. His lawyer said that Uthayakumar had no plans to appeal the decision at this point of time.

The letter, dated between Nov 15 and Dec 8, 2007 to then British premier Gordon Brown, alleged state-sponsored social ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the Indian poor in Malaysia. It was also posted on the now-defunct Police Watch website.

The case was presided by Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain.

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