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Malaysia charged 26 ethnic Indians on Tuesday with attempted murder during last week’s big protest against racial discrimination, their lawyers said.

On Nov. 25, more than 10,000 ethnic Indians staged the minority community’s biggest anti-government protest, sparked by anger over policies they say prevent them from getting decent jobs or a good education for their children.

The 26 men pleaded not guilty to four charges, including of attempting to kill a policeman during a clash at an Indian temple in Batu Caves in the morning of Nov. 25, lawyer M. Manoharan said.

“Other charges include causing mischief, rioting and illegal assembly,” he said by telephone.

If found guilty, they faced a jail term of 20 years or life imprisonment for attempted murder, he said.

The 26, aged between 19 and 46, had been remanded pending another court appearance on Wednesday, another lawyer said. Source: Reuters

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