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Four years after a prominent Singaporean family’s theft accusations prevented her from leaving, domestic helper Parti Liyani today finally returned home to Indonesia. 

The 47-year-old woman, exonerated four months ago on appeal in a case that sent shockwaves through the establishment, was accompanied by the activists who supported her to Changi Airport this morning. 

“FINALLY. Four years after she was arrested and put through a harrowing ordeal in which she fought to clear her name, Parti Liyani FINALLY flew back home to Indonesia this morning,” said Stephanie Chok of the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, or HOME.

Chok was one of six people to see Liyani off. 

Liyani is awaiting future court hearings on her complaints filed against investigating officers and demands for compensation following her wrongful conviction. 

Chok added that Liyani was unable to take home all of her possessions, some of which remain in police custody.

“This morning, Parti Liyani flew home without her items from the four charge sheets returned to her,” she said. “According to a police officer, this is because ‘other interested parties’ have laid claim to the items […] And so, there may need to be yet ANOTHER inquiry, in front of yet ANOTHER judge, to determine the fate of these items.” 

She referred to specific items that came up during the course of her 2019 trial and conviction – later overturned – such as a black dress, knife, and a pair of chopsticks.

Liyani was arrested in 2016 and three years later sent to prison after being convicted of stealing over S$34,000 (US$25,000) worth of items belonging to the family of Liew Mun Leong, the former chairman of Changi Airport Group. Liyani was cleared of all charges last year after she appealed her case with the help of pro-bono lawyer Anil Balchandani. 

The judges ruled her prosecution was deeply flawed and impugned the family’s motives for accusing her of the crime, suggesting it was retaliation after she threatened to report them to labor officials.

In July, Liyani filed complaints over allegations including police evidence tampering. She is also seeking S$71,000 in compensatory damages from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Court hearings currently are set for March. 

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