English/Nat
Malaysia's former police chief has admitted to beating ousted Deputy Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim on the night of his arrest.
Anwar emerged from police custody nine days after his arrest last September for alleged sex and corruption offences with a black eye and bruises on his neck and body - injuries he maintained were the result of a beating by Abdul Rahim Noor.
Abdul Rahim's admission is likely to discredit the Malaysian police, already criticised by human rights groups at home and overseas for allegedly using torture.
A lawyer representing Abdul Rahim Noor says the former police chief punched and slapped Anwar Ibrahim on the night of September 20 after the former deputy prime minister was driven blindfolded and handcuffed into police headquarters.
The team defending Anwar called for the former Inspector General of Police (I-G-P) to be prosecuted.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well the I-G-P should be brought to book as soon as possible."
Q: "Meaning?"
"Well it should be charged in court, charged in court for causing grievous hurt to Anwar Ibrahim in view of the admission by the Home Counsel. In any event the I-G-P is giving evidence tomorrow in the morning I understand from his council and I'm sure he will have to confirm what has already been said and done today."
SUPER CAPTION: Karpal Singh, Anwar's Lawyer
Abdul Rahim's lawyers explained he only beat Anwar because he had been provoked.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There was a basis. The reason he did it was he was so provoked and he lost his sense of control."
SUPER CAPTION: Teh Poh Teik, Abdul Rahim Noor's Lawyer
But Anwar's team refute that, adding that doctors claim his injuries could have been fatal.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Provocation is never a defence, provocation can only be a mitigating factor, that's all. But in any event, a police officer of the standing of an I-G-P cannot afford to lose self control. He is supposed to be the top cop in the country, he should be disciplined and no amount of provocation should compel him to assault anyone, or a suspect in custody."
SUPER CAPTION: Karpal Singh, Anwar Defence Lawyer
Anwar's injuries were only realised when he showed up in court with a black eye and bruises on his neck and body.
Abdul Rahim resigned last month after an internal probe determined that police had indeed assaulted Anwar. The former police chief had constantly denied until then that he'd had anything to do with the assault.
There was public outrage at Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's decision not to disclose the results of the investigation
And while Anwar's wife said she was pleased with Abdul Rahim's admission, she said Mahathir should also take the blame.
At the time, the prime minister also held the Home Minister portfolio.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm a bit surprised, I mean pleasantly surprised that the counsel himself has actually said - an admission of Rahim Noor himself - that he did it. But I hope this is not only... you have to get to the bottom of this investigation. Nothing should be covered up. But also we have to question the role of minister in charge of Home affairs then."
SUPER CAPTION: Wan Azizah Ismail, Anwar's wife
Anwar is on trial on 10 charges of corruption and illegal sex acts and is now being tried separately on four counts of abuse of office.
He has denied all the charges, saying they were trumped up to eliminate the political challenge he posed to Mahathir.
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