‘ISA Vigil 232 now in court
1106: The accused are being charged for illegal gathering and defying orders to disperse under Section 27(4), which provides for a fine ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 fine and a jail term of not more than a year.
1101: Among the crowd at the court are five priests, who can be identified by their vestments.
1045: Gobind is asking why his clients are being charged so close to Chinese New Year. He is asking for bail to be set at RM500 instead of RM5,000 and for their passports not to be impounded. Another lawyer, Lim Lip Eng, is now arguing for his clients.
1040: Inside the court room, Gobind Singh is now arguing the case. It’s a full house inside.
1028: Bar Council president Ambiga, who popped out of the courtroom, mentioned to a few outside she was surprised the 23 people were being charged.
There seems to be a bit of confusion in court over the proceedings, bail, etc due to the sheer number of people involved.
0928: About 150 to 180 people are now in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court, where 23 people are expected to be charged in connection with their participation in an Abolish ISA vigil/Bersih anniversary commemoration on 9 November 2008. The court session has just started and many are unable to squeeze into the court room, according to Rakyat@work reporting from the scene.
