Swedish child abuse trial: 'My kids will lie for attention'

STOCKHOLM: The Malaysian mother on trial here for allegedly hitting her children, says they tend to lie about being beaten and have motive to do so.

Shalwati Nurshal, denying all charges against her, said the incidents brought up by them during police interviews were a result of the children’s confusion, exaggeration and, in some cases, outright lies.

“Show me Ammar’s video and I can pinpoint the exact points he lied,” she said.

Shalwati and husband Azizul Raheem Awalluddin Azizul, a Tourism Malaysia director here, were charged on Feb 10 with multiple counts of gross violation of a child’s integrity.

The offences allegedly took place at the family’s home in Spnga, a Stockholm suburb, between Sept 15, 2010 and Dec 17, last year.

Sweden outlaws corporal punishment and the couple faces up to six years in prison if convicted.

Asked by lawyer Johan Kallus, who represented brothers Ammar and Ariff, if the incidents were all lies, Shalwati said some of them were.

The mother of four added, however, that the children exaggerated the alleged use of violence.

Shalwati said Ammar, her second child, was an attention-seeker and unhappy that his friends at school ignored him.

“Ammar told his friends he got beaten at home to get their attention,” said Shalwati.

The school teacher said Ariff, her youngest child, did not make any mention of being beaten during the first police interview, but changed his story in an interview several weeks later.

“He idolises Ammar and is highly influenced by his older brother,” said Shalwati, adding that some events that Ariff mentioned occurred in South Africa, where her husband once served.

Shalwati’s counsel, Kristofer Stahre, asked if Aishah, Shalwati’s eldest child, had the capacity to lie, eliciting a long sigh from his client.

She then answered that her daughter would lie to cover up things that embarrassed her (Aishah).

Giving an example, while Aishah was trying to go on a diet, she lied about stealing cakes and chocolates.

Regarding her third child Adam, Shalwati said he suffered from comprehension problems.

“In the interviews, he looks so unsure. He couldn’t remember dates. It’s sad,” added the mother.

Shalwati was then allowed to speak with her husband, the first time since they were detained in December.

They were seen in a tearful embrace after the proceedings.

The trial continues March 10.