Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email This was one of the cases that Uthayakumar handled while leading Police Watch Malaysia. The case is still pending because the mother has made an appeal over the verdict.
Anyway, I believe this is the first time a memorial service is done if front of a police station!
Francis Udayappan remembered
http://malaysiakini.com/news/81443
Andrew Ong | Apr 16, 08 3:13pm
Family and friends of alleged custodial death victim G Francis Udayappan held a short memorial service today in front the Brickfields district police headquarters. Led by Francis’ mother G Sara Lily (below), the small crowd lit candles and showered flower petals on a wreath bearing a photo of Francis. During prayers led by a priest, Sara Lily burst into tears but regained composure to light a candle for her only son. “I’m still sad. I cannot forget my son… I cannot forget this police station. My son died because of them,” she told Malaysiakini.
The Brickfields police had claimed that Francis, 24, had escaped from custody in April 16, 2004 after he was detained in connection with a theft case. His body was fished out of the Klang river a month later, leading to a protracted tussle over the identity of the body.
Two years later, the coroner’s court established that the remains were indeed those of Francis and that there was no foul play in his death. Sara has challenged the latter finding at the Kuala Lumpur High Court and a decision is pending.
Batu MP Tian Chua who was present at the ceremony told reporters that the event was also meant to highlight cases of custodial deaths. “The lock-up is not meant for criminals. It is meant to hold suspects. The well-being of a suspect is within the responsibility of the police,” he told reporters. Chua said he is part of a campaign against custodial deaths, which has been going on for five years, and that there was a significant drop in statistics last year. “But people should not die while under police custody,” he said.
He said the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission would be able to reduce such incidents.
Sara Lily joined PKR in 2006 because the party had “steadfastly supported” her cause.
Also present was the Police Watch Committee representative A Jayathas, who represented lawyer P Uthayakumar who had first highlighted the issue. Uthayakumar, presently detained under the ISA for his involvement with Hindraf, played an important role in questioning the police over the disappearance of Francis. He also led the Police Watch Committee which highlighted the cases of custodial death in the country.
