Were police justified in the 2012 Cheras shootout?

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No Criminal Elements Found in 2012 Cheras Police Shooting

Coroner Mahyub Talib has concluded that no criminal elements were involved in the 2012 shooting deaths of three men in Cheras, stating that the police were not found to have acted improperly. The incident, which occurred on April 14, 2012, at the Taman Billion roundabout, involved the deaths of brothers Noor Azman Othman, 39, and Aidi Noor Hafizal Othman, 23, along with their friend Saufi Ahmad, 23. Police maintained that one of the suspects initiated the exchange of gunfire from a vehicle.
Inquest Findings Led to No Criminal Element Conclusion

The coroner's decision was based on the findings presented during the inquest, which commenced in 2018. The inquest heard that there was no conclusive evidence, such as DNA from the three deceased men, found on the firearm allegedly used to fire at the police. Coroner Mahyub stressed that an inquest is not a trial and that decisions are made based on the facts of the case rather than probabilities, referencing a High Court precedent that advises against scrutinising witness credibility in such proceedings.
Families and Lawyers Express Disappointment

The families of the three men present at the announcement reacted with visible anger and disappointment to the coroner's ruling. Lawyers For Liberty (LFL), representing the families, indicated that the decision might be influenced by the duration of the inquest. Zaid Malek, a lawyer from LFL, stated that he would consult with the victims' families to determine the next course of action, including the possibility of appealing to the High Court after reviewing the full inquest report.
Autopsy Reports Contradicted Police Narrative

Prior to the coroner's decision, LFL lawyer N. Surendran had raised serious questions about the police's account. Citing autopsy reports released in May 2013, Surendran claimed that Noor Azman Othman was shot while on his knees. Furthermore, the bullet trajectory indicated shots fired from above, contradicting the police's assertion of a shootout where bullets would typically come from the front. Autopsy findings revealed Noor Azman sustained eight gunshot wounds, while Aidi Noor Hafizal was shot 11 times, and Noor Azman also suffered injuries suggesting a struggle.

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Were police justified in the 2012 Cheras shootout?

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