Businessman Mohamad Zamri Ibrahim, who was among four wrongfully arrested for the murder of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin in 2007, is demanding justice after damages awarded to him and his brother-in-law Mohd Suhaimi Yusoff were overturned by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

In August this year, Mohamad Zamri, 36, and his brother-in-law were awarded damages by KL Sessions Court judge Sabariah Othman for wrongful arrest and the injuries they suffered during their detention.

However, High Court judge Has Zehnah Mehat overturned the decision last Tuesday, upon the attorney-general's appeal, accepting the argument that the failure of Zamri and Suhaimi to identify the individual police officers who assaulted them precluded the government from having to take responsibility.

However, the High Court did not nullify the finding that the duo was indeed roughed up and their arrest was wrongful.

Zambri was awarded RM10,000 for his wrongful arrest, RM1,500 for injuries sustained as well as RM30,000 in exemplary damages, while Suhaimi was awarded RM1,500 for his injuries and RM30,000 in exemplary damages.

Zambri, Suhaimi and two others were nabbed by police as suspects in the Nurin Jazlin murder case in 2007, but were released after it was found out that they had been framed.

They alleged that police did not follow proper procedures when arresting them.

"They arrested us without asking for our ICs and telling us why we were arrested. Worse still they even beat us up," he said during a press conference in Shah Alam today.

'Kicked on neck, chest and head'

Zamri added that undue violence was meted by police.

"I was forcefully pulled out of my car after three police patrol vehicles blocked it. My wife who was eight months pregnant was also dragged out of the car. After that I was handcuffed and put in the back seat of a police car I was elbowed in the head.

"Afterward I was taken to my place of business where I and my brother-in-law was pushed down onto the floor and kicked repeatedly in the neck, chest and head by policeman wearing boots," he described.

The businessman is appealing the overturning the High Court decision, in the hope that justice will be served.

"The truth was not told... I have lost my confidence in the police," said Zamri, expressing hope that the courts will not fail him as the police had.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, who called for the press conference, said that the High Court decision and the attorney-general's appeal had eroded public confidence in the courts.

"Anyone who is beaten by police but cannot identify their assailant now has no grounds for recourse.

"So if you are beaten by cops you are in trouble if he doesn't tell you his name," he said.

VIDEO | 17.46 mins