'Suspend ex-Johor CID chief for false info on custodial death'
Human rights group Suaram wants then Johor CID chief Hasnan Hassan to be suspended from duty for allegedly giving a false statement in the case of Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamed, who died in police custody.
The Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) found Syed Mohd Azlan was beaten to death by police while in a lock-up in Johor last year.
In a memorandum to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar today, Suaram said Hasnan had made conflicting statements when he described Syed Mohd Azlan's death.
Hasnan was promoted to the rank of DCP in May and is now Perak deputy police chief.
He reportedly said that a struggle occurred between Syed Mohd Azlan and the police when the latter apprehended him.
The EAIC, citing a witness to the scene, however said that such a thing did not occur.
“Hasnan should therefore be suspended and be brought to justice for giving false information on Syed Mohd Azlan’s real cause of death,” said Suaram project coordinator Tarmizi Anuwar who read the memorandum in front of the Bukit Aman police headquarters today.
Suaram also urged that police officers responsible for Syed Mohd Azlan’s death be brought to justice within a month.
“The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) should also implement the recommendations by the EAIC for suspects to be examined by a medical government officer when they are injured while being arrested.
“This is so that they can determine the extent of the injuries as well as the suspect’s health status.”
Police tampered with evidence
The NGO also promised that it would continue pressuring police to ensure the case is resolved as soon as possible.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said investigation into the case will be completed soon and action will be taken against those responsible.
The deceased's family today said they will file a civil suit on the matter.
The deceased's lawyer and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo earlier sought the IGP's resignation following the damning EAIC report.
The EAIC called on the personnel involved to be charged with murder, causing grieveous harm and abetment to a crime.
The EAIC report found 61 types of injuries on Syed Mohd Azlan’s face, body and legs.
It also found that police tried to tamper with evidence by cleaning the scene before a medical officer arrived, disposing of a rubber mat and carpet stained with the deceased’s blood and hiding eye-witnesses to the arrest and detention.
Thirteen police personnel led by an inspector arrested Syed Mohd Azlan at a residence in Pengerang at 3am on Nov 3, 2014.
He was arrested for alleged involvement in a fight and possessing a firearm. However, no firearm was found in the house.
He was later taken to the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters for remand proceedings, but was found to be unresponsive by the personnel escorting him.
They then took him to a clinic, where the doctor certified him as dead, five hours after his arrest.
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