Magistrates court acquits and discharges activist Lena Hendry

KUALA LUMPUR: The Magistrates court acquitted and discharged activist Lena Hendry of a charge of showing a documentary on Sri Lanka civil war without approval from Censorship Board in 2013.
Magistrate Mohd Rehan Mohd Aris said the court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against her, and Lena was not required to enter defence.
On Sept 19 last year, Hendry, who is the programme coordinator for human rights group Pusat Komas, claimed trial to a charge of illegally screening "No Fire Zone: the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka".
She was charged under Section 6(1)(b) of Film Censorship Act 2002, which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine not exceeding RM30,000 if convicted.
It was reported that on July 3, 2013, Hendry, and two Pusat Komas activists Anna Har and Arul Prakkash, were arrested in a raid by the Home Ministry, when they attempted to screen the controversial documentary.
Outside of court, Hendry expressed relief that the charge has been dropped against her, noting that the charge was a 'waste of time for those involved in it'.
Counsel New Sin Yew represented Hendry while Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Farith Muhammad Faizal prosecuted.