Action should be taken against any police
officer who injured or caused injuries to Fayyadh Afiq Albakry during
last July’s Bersih 2.0, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
(Suhakam).
In
its public inquiry report on the July 9 Bersih 2.0, Suhakam found that
the Anwar Ibrahim's injury to his left cheekbone was very likely caused
by the impact from a tear gas canister.
According to the report, video evidence supplied to the inquiry panel showed a police officer shooting a tear gas canister in the general direction of the crowd, and may have likely caused the injuries to Anwar’s bodyguard.
“Disciplinary action or legal action should be taken against any officials or members (of the police) who have inflicted or caused injury towards witness 27 (Fayyadh),” said the Suhakam report.
Medical testimony from oral and maxillofacial consultant Dr Mohd Nor Awang stated the round shape of the injury to Fayyadh’s face and the cracking of his cheekbone were consistent with a strong impact from a blunt object fired with great force.
Mohd Nor said if the impact had been to the back of the head, the injury might have been fatal.
“The panel is of the opinion that (Fayyadh’s) injuries were very likely caused by an impact from a tear gas canister shot by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in the KL Sentral area,” the report says.
The incident took place at the bus station at the KL Sentral underpass during last year’s Bersih 2.0 rally, for which police were criticised for firing tear gas in the confined space.
Malaysiakini had previously highlighted the report’s findings that police had violated human rights during last year’s Bersih 2.0 rally.
‘Tear gas gun aimed at Anwar’
Fayyadh had told Malaysiakini last year that the tear gas gun was aimed directly at Anwar, and he had moved to protect the opposition leader.
"Other bodyguards and I were with Anwar and a few other leaders and we were walking in the front, forming a long column, when I heard a faint sound.
"I am sure it came from an officer using a loudhailer, but with everyone shouting around us, I could hardly hear a thing," he had said.
He
then turned towards the riot squad, assembled and ready, and did not
need to take a second glance when he spotted a weapon pointed at Anwar.
And then it happened. Fayyadh said he pulled Anwar to the left and immediately felt an excruciating pain, as if he was given a heavy blow on his face, followed by a stinging, piercing sensation all over his body from the tear gas.
The 25-year-old, who sustained a broken cheekbone, added that all he could think about was the safety of his boss as they fled the plumes of tear gas.
Fayyadh was again hospitalised earlier this year, collapsing after a suspected attack allegedly involving a sharp, poisoned object.
He was acting as the bodyguard to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the time, escorting her during a rally in Bukit Mertajam.
In
its public inquiry report on the July 9 Bersih 2.0, Suhakam found that
the Anwar Ibrahim's injury to his left cheekbone was very likely caused
by the impact from a tear gas canister.According to the report, video evidence supplied to the inquiry panel showed a police officer shooting a tear gas canister in the general direction of the crowd, and may have likely caused the injuries to Anwar’s bodyguard.
“Disciplinary action or legal action should be taken against any officials or members (of the police) who have inflicted or caused injury towards witness 27 (Fayyadh),” said the Suhakam report.
Medical testimony from oral and maxillofacial consultant Dr Mohd Nor Awang stated the round shape of the injury to Fayyadh’s face and the cracking of his cheekbone were consistent with a strong impact from a blunt object fired with great force.
Mohd Nor said if the impact had been to the back of the head, the injury might have been fatal.
“The panel is of the opinion that (Fayyadh’s) injuries were very likely caused by an impact from a tear gas canister shot by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in the KL Sentral area,” the report says.
The incident took place at the bus station at the KL Sentral underpass during last year’s Bersih 2.0 rally, for which police were criticised for firing tear gas in the confined space.
Malaysiakini had previously highlighted the report’s findings that police had violated human rights during last year’s Bersih 2.0 rally.
‘Tear gas gun aimed at Anwar’
Fayyadh had told Malaysiakini last year that the tear gas gun was aimed directly at Anwar, and he had moved to protect the opposition leader.
"Other bodyguards and I were with Anwar and a few other leaders and we were walking in the front, forming a long column, when I heard a faint sound.
"I am sure it came from an officer using a loudhailer, but with everyone shouting around us, I could hardly hear a thing," he had said.
He
then turned towards the riot squad, assembled and ready, and did not
need to take a second glance when he spotted a weapon pointed at Anwar.And then it happened. Fayyadh said he pulled Anwar to the left and immediately felt an excruciating pain, as if he was given a heavy blow on his face, followed by a stinging, piercing sensation all over his body from the tear gas.
The 25-year-old, who sustained a broken cheekbone, added that all he could think about was the safety of his boss as they fled the plumes of tear gas.
Fayyadh was again hospitalised earlier this year, collapsing after a suspected attack allegedly involving a sharp, poisoned object.
He was acting as the bodyguard to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the time, escorting her during a rally in Bukit Mertajam.
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