Australian journalists' passports returned, duo released on police bail

KUCHING: Two foreign journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have been released on police bail until March 16 and their passports returned, but the duo will not be able to leave the country, says their lawyer.

"This afternoon, the police returned their passports. I don't know why it was returned," said Albert Tang, counsel for reporter Linton Besser (pic), 39, and camera operator Louis Eroglu, 51.

Tang said the police have indicated they would consult with a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) on Monday.

"The DPP will make a decision. If the DPP decides not to charge, then that will be the end of the matter" Tang told The Star over the phone.

Tang said the Australians, who have not given interviews to local media, were tired and "have had a long day".

His clients denied they had created an offence under section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their public functions.

"To my memory, no reporter has ever been accused of obstruction for trying to pose a question. They did not cause a big hoo-haa, because they were not arrested on the spot," he said.

Tang said after the duo were told to leave the function, they went to the airport where only to learn that flights were full.

"They then return to a hotel where the police invited them to go to the Kota Sentosa police station. It was there they were arrested," he said.

In a statement Sunday morning, Sarawak CID chief Dev Kumar said the two Australians had crossed a security line and aggressively tried to approach Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was on an official visit to the Darul Ehsan Mosque at Kampung Haji Baki.

"The incident occurred at about 8.35pm. Both of them were subsequently arrested for failing to comply with police instructions not to cross the security line," Kumar said.

Tang became involved when the Australian embassy provided Besser and Eroglu his phone number around 11pm Saturday.