The Malaysian government and police have been ordered to pay RM195,000 in damages to 13 activists for wrongful arrests made during a vigil in 2021, according to Free Malaysia Today. The High Court ruled that the arrests were unlawful, awarding compensation to the individuals involved.
Free Malaysia Today reports that the court decision covers the arrests of activists who were detained while participating in a vigil. The case dates back to 2021, when the individuals were taken into custody by police. The ruling now requires the government and police force to pay the total sum of RM195,000 to the 13 claimants.
The arrests occurred during a vigil, though specific details about the event or the activists' identities were not provided in the reporting. The court found that the detentions violated legal procedures, leading to the compensation order. This case highlights ongoing scrutiny of police conduct during public gatherings in Malaysia.
Legal observers will likely watch for any appeals from the government or police following this ruling.
