Three Mongolian Women Whistleblowers On Alleged Rape Walk Free

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Three Mongolian women, who raised the alarm over the alleged rape of two fellow nationals by a police inspector, walked free this afternoon following the cancellation of the Interim Protection Order (IPO) against them
The police today applied to the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court to withdraw the IPO against the trio as part of an investigation into human trafficking
The IPO was initially allowed as the three women were alleged victims of human trafficking
This was confirmed to Malaysiakini by the three women’s counsel Mathew Thomas Philip today
“The police applied to cancel the IPO on the three ladies,” he said
Previously, it was reported that the three Mongolian women were placed under the IPO after they have lodged a police report over the alleged rape
The lower court’s order for the trio to be placed under IPO has attracted calls from various quarters for the IPO to be set aside, including Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei
When asked on whether the three women would need to stay on in Malaysia as potential witnesses in the rape case against the police inspector, Philip said there is no such need as the trio were not material witnesses in that investigation
“They (trio) only came (lodge the police report) after the event (alleged rape) so they are not material witnesses (in the rape case). They were just whistleblowers who came to help (raise the alarm),” Philip said
He said that following the trio’s release, they would seek to withdraw a related application at the Shah Alam High Court tomorrow for revision against the lower court’s order to allow the trio to be placed under the IPO
Philip said that they are also trying to secure the next flight from Malaysia to Mongolia, taking into account restrictions on flights leaving the country following the imposition of the movement control order (MCO) to curb the Covid-19 outbreak
Meanwhile, in a press release by his law firm Thomas Philip today, it expressed appreciation to the multiple calls by various parties for the three Mongolian women’s release
The law firm said that the revision application at the Shah Alam High Court would be withdrawn tomorrow as the matter has become “academic”
It said that the three women had sought the revision application as there was no evidence of human trafficking or migrant smuggling in their case and that the trio came to Malaysia on valid social visit passes
“This is a big relief for all parties concerned, particularly the three ladies and their families. By any measure, the initial detention of the ladies by the police was clearly an affront to the fundamental rights of the ladies
“We are extremely grateful to all those who came forward to demand accountability from the police in their treatment and the process of investigation of our clients
“With the whistleblowers been freed today, we take it as a first step forward towards justice in this case. We are now awaiting official news of the charges on the policeman,” Philip was quoted saying in the media statement
It was reported this afternoon that the police inspector (alleged perpetrator of the rape of the two Mongolian women), would be charged at the Petaling Jaya court tomorrow in relation to purported human trafficking
Today’s press release also quoted Mongolia’s Honorary Consul in Malaysia, Reynolds Augustine as saying “I am extremely grateful to the numerous NGOs, Malaysians and Mongolians that have come forward in these trying times for their enormous support that has led to the release of the three Mongolian nationals, who have suffered an unfortunate series of events despite their best intentions and we are relieved that they are now free.”Augustine also expressed confidence in the professionalism and transparency by the police in the court of investigation to ensure justice is upheld for the two alleged rape victims
Meanwhile, in relation to the two alleged Mongolian rape victims’ lawsuit against the police inspector and a boutique hotel, Philip said that they will serve the cause papers on the police officer tomorrow
He added that the suit is set for case management before the Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 27. - Mkini

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