Chinese girls relate their police ordeal
Friday, September 28, 2007
THE six Chinese tourists that accused several police officers of inappropriate behaviour have filed a police report, on the same day they were ordered to leave the country by the Immigration Department, which could ensue with a court case in about two months time, according to a former deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who declined to be named.
In an interview at the Yu & Chiew law firm, more details were disclosed on the alleged impropriety made by officers of the Anti-Vice Unit. The lawyers also felt that the officers conducted the operation with negligent and disrespectful procedures.
"It wasn't very professionally done," said one of the girls, "they were making jokes and asking 'how much for a night'."
"They also asked me how much it would cost (for a night with the girls)," said the male member whose house was raided and accused of soliciting them. He denied such actions.
Furthermore, one of the girls, Liu Qun, claimed that an officer grabbed the waistfront of her jeans and roughly jammed her visitor's pass into her crotch area. She said the officer applied so much force to the action, that the button on her jeans popped off.
The incident was witnessed by several people, including a corporal, who seemingly "turned his head away" as it occurred. The girls revealed that they would identify the officer if given the chance. "They also wanted to take pictures with us on their mobile phones," said another girl.
Later on, the corporal, who allegedly witnessed the inappropriate actions, said that he did not see anything as he was "in a different room," but added that he would have stopped them if he saw it happening. "I was in a different room," he said. "(The girls) were sitting in another room with female officers accompanying them while I sorted out their statements." But the girls' lawyer said, "In a situation like this, female officers should be looking after the girls, not men."
In addition, the girls said that the officers performed several lewd motions with their hands suggesting sexual intercourse. Another girl said that an officer snatched her mobile phone away, telling her "I have the power to do it."
Their lawyer said that the officers displayed unfavourable stereotypical behaviour towards females from China. "As soon as they see a Chinese tourist, they label them as prostitutes. Not everyone is a prostitute, some are here legitimately for business."
He also felt that there was an clear abuse of power. "They can detain people for 48 hours, but they must have reason to do it, more than just suspicion."
"They can't just say 'I suspect you for conducting illegal activities', detain you for 48 hours then release you, and then detain you again for further suspicions. You could be in there forever, you know," said the lawyer. "You must have evidence to do such things."
He said the girls have willingly provided statements to the police who have searched the premises and found no evidence. "They should let them go without the detention."
With regards to the deportation of the accused tourists, their lawyer said the police were breaching their jurisdictions by requesting for them to be deported. "They are doing the job of the courts," said the lawyer. "They are innocent until proven guilty, and that requires judgement from the court, not the police or the Immigration Department."
The former CID deputy director accompanying the girls to file the police report, said that his main concern is for the Immigration Department to retract their order to remove the girls from the country "as it has become a police case", as well as to prevent them from being placed under "List A". Being placed under this list means being permanently banned from entering Brunei ever again, for reasons they claim are bogus. "The girls don't want to be wrongfully accused," he said, adding that the police will be taking statements from eye-witnesses. "The investigating officer will conduct a thorough investigation, at least two or three days to collect the evidence (of the allegations)." The girl who was allegedly assaulted by the officer "might be called in to identify the person who molested her."
"If all those things are proven, then they might proceed to bring it to court," he explained. "But it's also possible the police will drag the investigation until the girl is fed up and decides to go back home."
A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy said they have contacted "competent authorities" in Brunei, and have expressed their concern over the issue, "hoping that the Brunei side will handle this matter properly in accordance to the law." Brunei and China relations have grown rapidly in the past years, but an incident such as this could tarnish this relationship.The Brunei Times
In an interview at the Yu & Chiew law firm, more details were disclosed on the alleged impropriety made by officers of the Anti-Vice Unit. The lawyers also felt that the officers conducted the operation with negligent and disrespectful procedures.
"It wasn't very professionally done," said one of the girls, "they were making jokes and asking 'how much for a night'."
"They also asked me how much it would cost (for a night with the girls)," said the male member whose house was raided and accused of soliciting them. He denied such actions.
Furthermore, one of the girls, Liu Qun, claimed that an officer grabbed the waistfront of her jeans and roughly jammed her visitor's pass into her crotch area. She said the officer applied so much force to the action, that the button on her jeans popped off.
The incident was witnessed by several people, including a corporal, who seemingly "turned his head away" as it occurred. The girls revealed that they would identify the officer if given the chance. "They also wanted to take pictures with us on their mobile phones," said another girl.
Later on, the corporal, who allegedly witnessed the inappropriate actions, said that he did not see anything as he was "in a different room," but added that he would have stopped them if he saw it happening. "I was in a different room," he said. "(The girls) were sitting in another room with female officers accompanying them while I sorted out their statements." But the girls' lawyer said, "In a situation like this, female officers should be looking after the girls, not men."
In addition, the girls said that the officers performed several lewd motions with their hands suggesting sexual intercourse. Another girl said that an officer snatched her mobile phone away, telling her "I have the power to do it."
Their lawyer said that the officers displayed unfavourable stereotypical behaviour towards females from China. "As soon as they see a Chinese tourist, they label them as prostitutes. Not everyone is a prostitute, some are here legitimately for business."
He also felt that there was an clear abuse of power. "They can detain people for 48 hours, but they must have reason to do it, more than just suspicion."
"They can't just say 'I suspect you for conducting illegal activities', detain you for 48 hours then release you, and then detain you again for further suspicions. You could be in there forever, you know," said the lawyer. "You must have evidence to do such things."
He said the girls have willingly provided statements to the police who have searched the premises and found no evidence. "They should let them go without the detention."
With regards to the deportation of the accused tourists, their lawyer said the police were breaching their jurisdictions by requesting for them to be deported. "They are doing the job of the courts," said the lawyer. "They are innocent until proven guilty, and that requires judgement from the court, not the police or the Immigration Department."
The former CID deputy director accompanying the girls to file the police report, said that his main concern is for the Immigration Department to retract their order to remove the girls from the country "as it has become a police case", as well as to prevent them from being placed under "List A". Being placed under this list means being permanently banned from entering Brunei ever again, for reasons they claim are bogus. "The girls don't want to be wrongfully accused," he said, adding that the police will be taking statements from eye-witnesses. "The investigating officer will conduct a thorough investigation, at least two or three days to collect the evidence (of the allegations)." The girl who was allegedly assaulted by the officer "might be called in to identify the person who molested her."
"If all those things are proven, then they might proceed to bring it to court," he explained. "But it's also possible the police will drag the investigation until the girl is fed up and decides to go back home."
A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy said they have contacted "competent authorities" in Brunei, and have expressed their concern over the issue, "hoping that the Brunei side will handle this matter properly in accordance to the law." Brunei and China relations have grown rapidly in the past years, but an incident such as this could tarnish this relationship.The Brunei Times
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