Vanezis lodges report, e-mail has threats against expert’s family
(The Star) SHAH ALAM: British forensic pathologist Prof Dr Peter Vanezis has lodged a police report at the Shah Alam district police headquarters over a threatening e-mail.
In his report, Dr Vanezis said that the e-mail contained threats against him and his family.
Dr Vanezis is here to testify as an expert witness at the Teoh Beng Hock inquest accompanied by his wife Maria who is an expert in facial reconstruction.
Safety worries: Dr Vanezis, flanked by MACC officers, leaving the court in Shah Alam yesterday He was engaged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to witness the second post-mortem conducted on Teoh’s remains last November and give his expert opinion on the findings.
MACC counsel Datuk Abdul Razak Musa told coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas that Dr Vanezis was worried about his safety after receiving the e-mail. “He is duty bound to finish his testimony but wants to return home as soon as possible,” he said.
Dr Vanezis stated in his police report on Monday that he regarded the e-mail as an attempt to interfere with the due process of the court by attempting to influence his evidence.
He was heavily guarded by MACC officers upon arriving and leaving the court premises yesterday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said police would investigate the threatening e-mail.
He described Dr Vanezis as brave to come and testify in the inquest, unlike Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand.
“Equal attention is always given to the security of witnesses for the prosecution or defence. She (Dr Pornthip) has yet to come to Malaysia although we have guaranteed her safety and security,’’ he added.
