AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
Vic: Police harass students over flag burning
Police in Melbourne have been accused of abusing their powers and harassing students
in connection with the burning of an Indonesian flag at a protest rally.
Six members of a group called University Students for East Timor face charges ranging
from criminal damage to arson over the incident, involving a flag stolen from the city's
Indonesian consulate.
Lawyer MARCUS CLAYTON, who's representing the six, says Victoria Police's Protective
Security Intelligence Group tracked down and questioned the students several weeks after
the protest in September.
Mr CLAYTON says the police's use of resources in the case has been "grossly inappropriate".
He says the students had only expressed their anger and outrage over the horror in
East Timor in a symbolic protest.
The civil rights group, Liberty Victoria, has also criticised police over the matter.
Its president, FELICITY HAMPEL QC, says officers have intimidated the students by giving
them the impression the authorities are keeping tabs on them.
Ms HAMPEL says such action by the police is a form of stopping people engaging in
lawful, political protest.
AAP RTV st/jlw/ab/jn
KEYWORD: TIMOR FLAG (MELBOURNE)
1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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