KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Police have released controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris or Papagomo after he was held in lockup for four days to assist in investigations into the Low Yat melee.
According to The Star Online, Papagomo left the Dang Wangi police station at about 4.40pm today.
The news portal quoted Dang Wangi CID chief Deputy Supt M Gunalan as confirming the blogger’s release.
According to Papagomo’s lawyer Ahmad Shuaib Ismail, the blogger had given his full cooperation to the police, The Star Online reported.
The lawyer also reportedly dismissed claims that Papagomo had posted on social media during his time in lockup, saying others likely have access to his accounts.
“Even when he is in lock up, his pages are still active and being updated. So this means there are other people managing the Papagomo page,” Ahmad Shuaib was quoted saying.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police may extend Papagomo’s remand.
To date, a total of 24 people, including Papagomo, have been arrested over the riot that saw five people injured, including three journalists from Chinese media organisations.
The riot started after 22-year-old Shahrul Anuar Abdul Aziz was handed over on Saturday to the police for allegedly stealing an RM800 phone from a store at the popular tech mall.
Rumours swirled on social media after the alleged theft that the Chinese trader had sold the Malay man a counterfeit phone, leading to calls to boycott the “cheating” Chinese traders and the complex itself.
Shahrul pleaded not guilty Monday to stealing the phone.
