KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — The Bar Council today slammed the police for claiming lawyers acting for Aminulrasyid Amzah’s family were unethical for holding a press conference yesterday with a key-witness in the shooting of the 14-year-old schoolboy.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had also described the move by the lawyers as a cheap publicity stunt to garner public sympathy besides adding more confusion to the case.
“How dare they talk about what’s ethical? Have they been ethical?” asked Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan (picture).
He pointed out that the police had accused Aminulrasyid and the witness of being robbers.
Police also maintain that Aminulrasyid had tried to ram into them before he was shot and that a parang had been found in the car.
“Is this ethical conduct by the police? What do you expect the family to do?”
During yesterday press conference 15-year-old Azamuddin Omar, who was in the car during the fatal shooting, recounted the final moments of his friend’s life.
He disclosed that police had shot his friend in the head, and his body fell onto his lap but the car kept moving because his leg was still on the accelerator.
He added police kept on shooting until the car hit a wall
Ragunath pointed out that statements by the police had only added to the grief and suffering of the family of the dead 14-year-old schoolboy.
“It looks like the police have the sole right to issue statements and they are blaming everyone else instead of facing up to what happened and being transparent.”
He pointed out this happens every time there was a fatality involving police.
Under the circumstances, the lawyers acting for the family and friend were justified in holding the press conference so the boy could tell his side of the story, he said.
“There is no breach of the Bar Council’s rules of professional conduct.”
He added the family had the right to hold the press conference to prevent a possible cover up in the interest of justice.
N.Surendren, who was one of two lawyers who organised yesterday’s press conference said it was held because police had made serious allegations against the dead boy and Azamuddin.
“It cannot be correct that police can defame victims but they cannot respond to clear-up their good name.”
He pointed out that the public were also entitled to know the truth because the statements by the police had been incorrect and misleading.
“This is a case of public interest and they are entitled to the truth.”
Surendran said he was very disappointed in the police for maintaining that Aminulrasyid had tried to reverse his car when they opened fire.
He pointed out that both lawyer Latifah Koya and himself had conducted themselves professionally besides refuting police allegations that Azamuddin’s disclosures can amount to tampering of evidence.
“These are serious allegations against us and we reserve our right to take legal action.” he concluded.
MI
04/05/10
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had also described the move by the lawyers as a cheap publicity stunt to garner public sympathy besides adding more confusion to the case.
“How dare they talk about what’s ethical? Have they been ethical?” asked Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan (picture).
He pointed out that the police had accused Aminulrasyid and the witness of being robbers.
Police also maintain that Aminulrasyid had tried to ram into them before he was shot and that a parang had been found in the car.
“Is this ethical conduct by the police? What do you expect the family to do?”
During yesterday press conference 15-year-old Azamuddin Omar, who was in the car during the fatal shooting, recounted the final moments of his friend’s life.
He disclosed that police had shot his friend in the head, and his body fell onto his lap but the car kept moving because his leg was still on the accelerator.
He added police kept on shooting until the car hit a wall
Ragunath pointed out that statements by the police had only added to the grief and suffering of the family of the dead 14-year-old schoolboy.
“It looks like the police have the sole right to issue statements and they are blaming everyone else instead of facing up to what happened and being transparent.”
He pointed out this happens every time there was a fatality involving police.
Under the circumstances, the lawyers acting for the family and friend were justified in holding the press conference so the boy could tell his side of the story, he said.
“There is no breach of the Bar Council’s rules of professional conduct.”
He added the family had the right to hold the press conference to prevent a possible cover up in the interest of justice.
N.Surendren, who was one of two lawyers who organised yesterday’s press conference said it was held because police had made serious allegations against the dead boy and Azamuddin.
“It cannot be correct that police can defame victims but they cannot respond to clear-up their good name.”
He pointed out that the public were also entitled to know the truth because the statements by the police had been incorrect and misleading.
“This is a case of public interest and they are entitled to the truth.”
Surendran said he was very disappointed in the police for maintaining that Aminulrasyid had tried to reverse his car when they opened fire.
He pointed out that both lawyer Latifah Koya and himself had conducted themselves professionally besides refuting police allegations that Azamuddin’s disclosures can amount to tampering of evidence.
“These are serious allegations against us and we reserve our right to take legal action.” he concluded.
MI
04/05/10
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