Activist facing sedition charges seeks asylum in Sweden

Ali (left) at the Selayang Sessions Court on Sept 8. - Bernama

PETALING JAYA: An activist, who is facing sedition charges for allegedly insulting the royalty, is now seeking asylum in Sweden.

In his Facebook account, Ali Abd Jalil said he was seeking asylum in Sweden, alleging that he was not treated fairly by Malaysian authorities.

"I have been threatened (by) gangsters and racist Malay groups in Malaysia. It is not safe for me," he said, adding that he was being tailed all the time.

Ali was released late last month after spending more than 20 days in police custody after police reports were lodged against him for allegedly making seditious statements on social media.

He faced three sedition charges for allegedly insulting the Johor royalty and the Sultan of Selangor in posts on his Facebook page.

The 29-year-old part-time student was first detained on Sept 8 and was in police custody in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor, until he was finally released on Sept 29.

On Sept 8, Ali was charged at the Selayang Sessions Court under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act for allegedly criticising the monarchy.

He was released later that day after posting bail of RM5,000, but was immediately rearrested as he left the Shah Alam Sessions Court with two more counts under the same provision of the Sedition Act.

He was then taken to Sungai Buloh prison, where he was held for 15 days and was released again on bail on Sept 23.

Ali was again rearrested immediately and sent to Johor Baru Selatan prison, and charged in the Magistrate's Court there later.

According to an online news portal, Ali had arrived safely in Stockholm, Sweden after leaving the country through the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Global human rights body Amnesty International had adopted Ali as "prisoner of conscience" (PoC), as he was at risk of further torture or other ill-treatment.

It also said that the Sweden chapter of Amnesty International was currently making arrangements for Ali to be given legal representation.

His lawyers, Michelle Yesudas and New Sin Yew declined to comment when contacted.

"I haven't spoken to him," said New.

Recently controversial sex blogger Alvin Tan sought refuge in United States after jumping bail over multiple charges.

He and his former girlfriend, Vivian Lee were slapped with multiple charges over their now-defunct Sumptuous Erotica sex blog and their controversial Ramadan "greeting" involving "Bak Kut Teh", a pork-based dish.