KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — Eight of the 30 individuals detained by the police yesterday over their participation in the #TangkapNajib rally in the city have been released.
According to updates on Twitter by Lawyers for Liberty’s (LFL) Eric Paulsen, the eight were released after their remand applications were rejected by a Magistrate’s Court.
The group includes Bakri MP Er Tek Hwa, Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Tan Kar Hing.
Annie Ooi or “Auntie Bersih” as she was dubbed after pictures of her walking during Bersih 2.0’s 2011 rally went viral is also one of those who were released today, according to The Star Online.
The news portal also reported that a 14-year-old girl who was arrested with her mother in front of the Sogo shopping centre was also released.
A total of 30 people – 23 men, six women and one minor – were nabbed during the afternoon rally yesterday calling for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignation.
According to Paulsen, 21 of those arrested will be remanded until tomorrow while another individual will be held until Tuesday.
The individual to be held until Tuesday will also be investigated for possession of explosives, the lawyer confirmed on Twitter.
Quoting Puchong MP and lawyer Gobind Singh, The Star Online reported that activists Hishammuddin Rais and Fahmi Zainol were part of those released today after the court rejected an application to remand them under Section 124 (b) of the Penal Code over their alleged involvement in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
The #TangkapNajib rally organised by youth group Demi Malaysia turned chaotic just minutes after it was due to start at 2pm when protesters refused to disperse, insisting they had a right to assemble.
