The debate on whether PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli was handcuffed or otherwise following his arrest may have been resolved, but his lawyer has insisted that his client was told to keep his hands behind as per standard operating procedure.

In a Facebook post, lawyer Saiful Izham Ramli said instructions for a detainee to hold one’s own wrists together to limit the movement of hands while the arms are held on both sides by police officers are normal practice by the police.

This is especially the case if the accused is not handcuffed and is not categorised as a hardcore criminal.

“It’s not a matter of acting or trying to get sympathy, but a standard operating procedure on the police’s part when bringing the accused to court.

“It all depends on the discretion of the police officers tasked with escorting the accused,” he said.

Saiful added that Rafizi’s critics should have asked those who understood such procedures before making conclusions that could even lead to slander.

The lawyer’s defence comes after an image which was circulated on social media accused Rafizi of deliberately attempting to create the impression of being handcuffed.

The image made up of four photographs shows the MP being escorted by police officers with his hands behind his back.

The last photograph, which is a close up from behind, reveals the absence of handcuffs.

The caption on the image reads, " Rafizi berlakon kena gari. Perangai macam celaka (Rafizi acting as if he was handcuffed. A despicable behaviour".

Rafizi was arrested last Tuesday at the Parliament gates for exposing a classified document which he claimed showed a link between 1MDB and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT).

Remanded for three days, he risks facing a maximum seven-year jail term for the offence.