Australian journalists' court appearance "cancelled"

Besser (left) and Eroglu talking to reporters at airport at 9am. Photo by ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE.

PETALING JAYA: In a latest twist of events, Australian journalists Linton Besser and Louie Eroglu will not be charged in court on Tuesday after all.

Sarawak CID chief SAC Dev Kumar said in a text message late Monday that the court appearance by the duo has been "cancelled".

"No charges. I may give a statement later in the morning. Need to get the exact facts first," he said.

It was reported earlier that the journalists from Australian Broadcasting Channel (ABC) were to be charged at 8.30am at the magistrate's court in Kuching. 

Earlier, Kumar had said that the charges would only be made known when the two were produced in court.

Besser, a reporter, and Eroglu, a cameraman, from the ABC's Four Corners programme, are being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his duties.

They were arrested on Saturday near midnight, after attempting to question Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was on an official visit to Kampung Haji Baki in Kuching.

On Saturday afternoon in Petaling Jaya, the duo attended a press conference organised by Pertubuhan Minda dan Social Prihatin Malaysia (Minda) before flying off to Kuching later.      

In a drama-filled press conference, the widow of the late private investigator P. Balasubramaniam apologised to the Prime Minister and his family for accusing them of her husband’s murder but later retracted her remarks.

Balasubramaniam was the PI during the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantunya Shaariibuu.