Remand order against trio rejected

The Court has rejected the remand order application on PKR vice-president Tian Chua, PAS' Datuk Tamrin Ghafar and activist Haris Ibrahim.

Magistrate Norashikin Sahat has decided to reject the application and ordered the trio to be released.

The remand proceedings against them started at 11am today.

It is believed that more than 10 of the trio's supporters gathered in front of the Jinjang Utara police station, calling for their release.

Among those who were present at the police station include lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga, N. Surendran and R. Sivarasa.

According to online news portal fz.com, the trio's lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga arrived at the police station but was first denied entry as she was told there were already 13 lawyers handling the remand case.

However, she was later allowed to go in after making a few phone calls.

All of those arrested had spoken at the May 13 Forum in Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

They were detained yesterday under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act for allegedly making seditious statements at the forum.

In Twitter, opposition leaders like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and prominent lawyers had posted tweets expressing their disappointment with the authorities about the arrest of the trio.

Blog: [PRESS STATEMENT] Charging Adam Adli, Tian Chua, Tamrin and Harris arrest – This is tyranny: Adam Ad... bit.ly/14FubhK #fb
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) May 24, 2013

@pdrmsia DPPs abusing power by exaggerating offences agnst @tianchua haris n tamrin- clearly intended to remand excessive remand n punish
— Latheefa Koya (@LatheefaKoya) May 24, 2013

That's absurd! @s_y_new: Police is going to ask for 7 days remand for @tianchua @harisibrahim and Tamrin for investigation under s124B Penal
— Fadiah Nadwa Fikri (@FadiahNadwa) May 24, 2013

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the trio also posted tweets after they were released today.

Magistrate Puan Norashikin bt Sahat made the right legal decision in accordance with the rule of law #fb
— R.Sivarasa (@SivarasaRasiah) May 24, 2013

Remand app rejected- all 3 released!
— N.Surendran (@nsurendrann) May 24, 2013

All 3 released no remand for tian, haris and tamrin.
— william leong (@LeongJeeKeen) May 24, 2013

Wonderful to see the magistrate upholding the rule of law and the liberty of @tianchua, Haris and Tamrin
— Ambiga Sreenevasan (@Ambiga_S) May 24, 2013