Media Statement – 6/2/2021
Independent Investigation using also CCTV recordings for Death in Police Custody cases
Muhammad Afis Ahmad - Did Police cause blunt force trauma that caused his death?
A review of body-cam and CCTV footages would help proving the police’s innocence in the murder/killing of Muhammad Afis Ahmad.
At 12.30 am on January 28, Muhamad Afis was found unconscious in the lockup of Yan Police headquarters and was sent to the Yan Hospital. At 1.10 am on the same day, he was pronounced dead.(Sun Daily, 4/2/2021).
He was arrested on January 27 under Section 379 and 170 of the Penal Code in connection with theft and impersonating as a policeman.
Died Due To Blunt Force Trauma To The Head
A post-mortem conducted the following day revealed that Muhammad Afis had died due to blunt force trauma to the head.
Kedah Police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan ‘…said during the arrest, the deceased had put up a struggle which caused him to suffer injuries to the face, ear and forehead…’(BERNAMA report)
Murder Investigation Not Simply Investigation To Clear Police Of Wrongdoings
The police chief ‘…said the investigation was to determine whether there were elements of violence, negligence or misconduct by police personnel as well as possibility of injury during the arrest.’ Statements of about 47 persons have already been recorded.
MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty) is of the opinion that a murder investigation ought to be conducted, noting that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. If someone struck his head, and that ultimately caused the death, then the said person could still be charged for murder or some killing offence.
It must be pointed out that there is a possibility that the blunt force trauma on the head that killed could have also been caused by some other – not the police. So, narrowly investigating only to ensure no police wrongdoing is just not right.
As such, it is essential that it be a murder or killing crime investigation under the Penal Code. If it was a police officer who caused it, then ensure that the perpetrator is charged in court just like every one else, and not simply dealt with quietly through some internal disciplinary action.
For not getting the deceased speedily inspected by a medical professional, the possibility of another crime, being section 304A Penal Code - causing death by negligence.
All Arrested Who Are Injured Or Sick Must Be Given Immediate Medical Examination
After arrest, there were obvious injuries to the head of Muhammad Afis, and a relevant question was whether he was taken to the hospital for treatment and checkup, or examined by a doctor. If this was done, there is a possibility that Muhammad Afis may still be alive today.
Immediate medical examination soon after arrest will also prevent unfounded accusations of police violence post arrest or whilst in police custody.
When Police Are Possible Suspects, Investigations Must Be Done By Independent Coroner – Not The Police
In cases of death in police custody or death caused by police shooting, it is best that the investigations be conducted by the Coroner or some other independent body.
Police investigating their fellow police officer/s, more so within the same police district or station may lead to improper investigation and may not lead to justice.
We note that some earlier Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) inquiries into deaths in police custody has found police involvement in covering up the truth, including destroying and/or tampering with evidence.
In the case of Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamed Nur, for example, it was reported that, ‘…The use of physical violence by police during arrest and questioning was the cause of Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamed Nur’s 2014 death in custody, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) said today….“There was an element of crime in the attacks involving common intent or abetment by PDRM officers, including the arresting team, to intentionally use physical violence on the deceased to cause death or injury,” the EAIC said in a statement today.
The EAIC, in that inquiry, also said that, ‘...its investigations also found attempts to obscure evidence from the 25-year-old’s interrogation that resulted in 61 separate injuries on various parts of his body...’(Malay Mail,30/10/2015)
As such, as soon as a death happens in police custody or where police are suspected, the Coroner, being usually a Magistrate, who is not a police officer should lead the inquiry and/or investigation to reveal the truth, and ensure that justice be done. Alternatively, it could be a Deputy Public Prosecutor or the EAIC.
Body-Worn Cams And CCTV Which Records Long Overdue
In September 2019, the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government was looking at equipping selected enforcement personnel with body cameras as part of its efforts to combat corruption and other alleged abuses of power.
In November 2020, in Parliament, Home Minister of the current government, Hamzah Zainuddin said the government will implement the proposal on the use of body cameras by police officers, amongst others to prevent the accusation and imputation brought against the security personnel while performing their duties.(Malaysiakini, 19/11/2020)
In December, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said that the police were in the process of acquiring body-worn cameras (BWC) to be used by officers, and also equipping all police cars with cameras.(Malay Mail, 14/12/2020).
If the body-cams, vehicle cameras and CCTV with recording capacity are still not there, MADPET urges that it be made a PRIORITY, as this will certainly deter police from breaking the law or violating rights of others.
Some Malaysian lock-ups do have CCTV, but alas when the recordings are needed as evidence for inquests, it is revealed that these CCTVs do not have recording capacity, or that they were not working at the time.
What is needed are CCTV, body cams and cameras on police vehicles that have recording capacity, where the recording is stored safely to prevent tampering or deletion by any police officer or station.
In some jurisdictions like Hong Kong, for the last few decades, CCTV recordings are there from the point of arrest and throughout the suspect’s stay in police facilities, and lawyers of suspects are given CDs of these recordings on request. Such good practice ensures that there is no abuse or wrongdoings on the part of the police, that the law is complied with and that the arrested is not denied any of his/her rights.
Malaysia yearns for a more trustworthy police force to restore and/or enhance public confidence in our police and the administration of criminal justice in Malaysia. We need police officers that will not hesitate to report, investigate or even charge a fellow police officer if he/she commits a crime.
Charles Hector
For and on behalf of MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
Thorough investigation into death in police custody in Yan
ALOR SETAR, Feb 4: Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the death of a detainee in the lockup of Yan Police headquarters on Jan 28.
Kedah Police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan said the investigation was to determine whether there were elements of violence, negligence or misconduct by police personnel as well as possibility of injury during the arrest.
“To date, a total of 47 witnesses have had their statements taken. They are family members as well as police personnel involved in the arrest and the ones manning the lockup.
“Others are the detainees who were in same the lockup as well as medical officers from Yan Hospital and Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital here,“ he said in a statement tonight.
He said the detainee, Muhammad Afis Ahmad, was arrested on Jan 27 under Section 379 and 170 of the Penal Code in connection with theft and impersonating as a policeman.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hasanuddin said during the arrest, the deceased had put up a struggle which caused him to suffer injuries to the face, ear and forehead.
The deceased was later taken to his house in Kampung Kilang Papan, Gurun for further investigation and the police conducted an inspection at the house which was also witnessed by his family members.
“No seizures were made during the inspection and the deceased was handed over to the Yan IPD for further action and was subsequently taken to the lockup for remand the next day.
“At 12.30 am on Jan 28, he was found unconscious and was sent to the Yan Hospital. At 1.10 am on the same day, he was pronounced dead.
Hasanuddin said a post-mortem conducted the following day revealed that Muhammad Afis had died due to blunt force trauma to the head.
He said the deceased used to serve as a volunteer police at the Kuala Muda IPD between 2013 and 2014 but was dismissed for his alleged involvement in drugs.
“The deceased had also been detained eight times for drug and criminal offences and sentenced by the court,“ he said.- Bernama - The Sun Daily, 4/2/2021
Police to use body cameras to prevent misconduct, corruption - Hamzah
The government will implement the proposal made during the Pakatan Harapan administration on the use of body cameras by police officers.
In a parliamentary written reply, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin (above) said the move will prevent the accusation and imputation brought against the security personnel while performing their duties.
The first phase procurement for 2,168 units of 4G body cameras will be made under the 12th Malaysia Plan in 2021, he said.
"The government is concerned about the integrity level of the members of the police force. The use of body camera can improve the positive perception of the people on the police," Hamzah added.
"The procurement will be implemented in 2021," he told Oscar Ling (Harapan-Sibu), who asked if the Perikatan Nasional government plans to use body cameras to prevent abuse of power and corruption.
Hamzah said the government is committed to implementing the project by taking into account the positive outcome of reducing complaints, wrongdoing and corruption among the police personnel while performing their duties.
"On top of that, the transparency of the delivery of services can be strengthened while at the same time improve the relationship between the police and the community," he added.
In September 2019, the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government was looking at equipping selected enforcement personnel with body cameras as part of its efforts to combat corruption and other alleged abuses of power.
Other measures included installing more CCTVs at strategic locations, including police lock-ups.
Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador also welcomed the proposal.
However, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim had decried the proposal, saying it would be akin to treating the enforcement personnel as criminals. - Malaysiakini, 19/11/2020
IGP: Home Ministry still evaluating body cameras for police use
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 — The Home Ministry (KDN) is still examining several types of body cameras, or body-worn cameras (BWC) offered by equipment firms for use by the police, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
“We are still waiting for the (approval of the) allocation to get the equipment (body cameras).
“I understand that some companies have already offered several types of body cameras. The ministry (is also) is looking at which is the best one for the police,” he said in a media conference after the signing of the Ops Benteng permanent procedures for operations at Wisma Perwira ATM here today.
In July, Abdul Hamid was reported to have said that the police were in the process of acquiring the equipment to be used by officers during patrols, especially in urban areas.
He said besides the BWC, all police patrol cars would also be equipped with cameras. — Bernama - Malay Mail, 14/12/2020
Friday October 30, 2015
11:49 PM GMT+8
According to the enforcement watchdog, its investigations also found attempts to obscure evidence from the 25-year-old’s interrogation that resulted in 61 separate injuries on various parts of his body.
The police officers involved also engaged in a “serious breach” of standard operating procedures concerning the handling of detainees, material seizure, and the integrity of statements.
It added that the action was a criminal offence, specifically under Section 302 and 325 of the Penal Code read with Section 34 of the same Act.
Section 302 pertains to murder while Section 325 involves voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm; Section 34 deals with voluntarily causing hurt.
The EAIC then recommended that the Attorney-General’s Chambers to prosecute the officers involved for the crimes identified in the agency’s investigations.
It added that it was regrettable that custodial deaths continue to occur repeatedly in the country, saying that the matter should be viewed seriously.
According to the EAIC’s investigations, Syed Mohd Azlan had been arrested on November 3, 2014 near Pengerang, Johor over possible involvement in an armed altercation involving two groups on September 14 the same year.
He had been detained by a team of 13 police officers and held at the Sungai Rengit police station, where he had been interrogated over the attack.
Syed Mohd Azlan was later transferred to the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters to be remanded, but died while in transit.
A post-mortem determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to his chest, while 61 defensive wounds were discovered on his face, torso, and both legs. -Malay Mail, 30/10/2015
Police officers that tortured and killed detainee - what will the AG and the Malaysian government do?
Cepat tindakan kes bunuh lelaki korea, kenapa lambat tuduh polis/pembunuh Syed Mohd Azlan?
Police officers that killed Syed Mohd Azlan, and tried to hide a crime? What happened?
MAKLUMAN SIASATANSURUHANJAYA INTEGRITI AGENSI PENGUATKUASAAN (EAIC) KE ATAS KEMATIAN SYED MOHD AZLAN BIN SYED MOHAMED NUR SEMASA DI DALAM TAHANAN POLIS DIRAJA MALAYSIA (PDRM)
-TAMAT
No comments:
Post a Comment