Filipino transwoman released after DPP drops second charge
Filipino transwoman Kent Caburnay Acuin who was charged twice for the same offence was released today after the deputy public prosecutor dropped the second charge.
"The deputy public prosecutor Rajdeep Singh agreed to drop the second charge after a letter of representation was sent to Attorney-General's Chambers last Thursday," Kent's lawyer Samantha Chong told Malaysiakini today.
Filipino transwoman Kent Caburnay Acuin who was charged twice for the same offence was released today after the deputy public prosecutor dropped the second charge.
"The deputy public prosecutor Rajdeep Singh agreed to drop the second charge after a letter of representation was sent to Attorney-General's Chambers last Thursday," Kent's lawyer Samantha Chong told Malaysiakini today.
Chong had last week criticised the second charge saying it constituted "double jeopardy" and that one could not be punished or tried twice for the same offence.
On March 28, Kent had pleaded guilty to climbing on top of a car and disrupting traffic after removing her clothes the week before along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur.
She pleaded guilty under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and paid the RM100 fine.
However, Acuin was also charged for the same crime under Section 509 of the Penal Code with intending to insult the modesty of a person.
This provision carries a maximum jail sentence of five years, a fine or both upon conviction.
Kent has alleged she was physically assaulted and had her head shaved during her detention together with other male detainees.
Meanwhile, Kent's family apologised on her behalf and thanked the Malaysian government for her release saying she was the sole breadwinner for her family.
"To the government of Malaysia, we are sorry for what my sister has done and thank you for finally releasing her," her sister Marlou Acuin told Malaysiakini through Chong.
"I also want to say thank you to all the NGOs, lawyers, people from the Philippines and Malaysia and the Philippines Embassy in Kuala Lumpur who have helped my sister a lot.
“People with a good heart do exist. Thank you from my family. We hope she could get home soon," said Marlou.
