Lawyer to challenge Sosma detention of five over LTTE links

Two DAP state assemblypersons and three others will be filing a challenge against their detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) over suspected links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Lawyer Ramkarpal Singh (above) told Malaysiakini that he would be filing a habeas corpus application at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex tomorrow on behalf of Seremban Jaya assemblyperson P Gunasekaran, Gadek assemblyperson G Saminathan, and three others.

"We'll be filing the application shortly before noon, and hold a press conference after that," the Bukit Gelugor MP told Malaysiakini today.

The Star identified the three other Sosma detainees as S Chandru, V Suresh Kumar and S Arivainthan.

A habeas corpus application is a recourse in law to challenge in court an unlawful detention or imprisonment.

The DAP duo were part of a group of seven individuals arrested on Oct 10 over suspected involvement with LTTE, a separatist group set up to fight for the independence of the Tamil Eelam region in Sri Lanka.

Subsequently, on October 12, five more suspects were arrested in Melaka during a day-long operation by the police.

Last week, Ramkarpal reportedly said he would launch a challenge for the right to post bail on behalf of the detained individuals as it was not permitted under Sosma.

Suspects detained under Sosma could be held without trial for up to 28 days at a stretch. Police, however, have powers to repeatedly detain them for up to 28 days each time.

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