Tortured Hong Kong helper Erwiana’s former employer claims her injuries were self-inflicted
After refusing to take to the witness box during the criminal trial that saw her jailed for six years, former employer hits out at Erwiana Sulistyaningsih during civil trial
Tortured Indonesian former domestic worker Erwiana Sulistyaningsih was back in a Hong Kong court on Monday to claim more than HK$809,000 from her abusive employer – who claimed for the first time in court that the injuries she sustained were self-inflicted.
Testifying for her injuries claim, the helper, who flew back from her native Indonesia, told the District Court that she was still haunted by her past, despite it being more than three years since she was a victim of torture by her former boss, Law Wan-tung.
“I still feel the hatred against my previous employer [and wonder] why she did the violence to me at the time,” she said, adding that she still suffered from trembling and felt nervous from time to time when reminded of the past.
But countering the claims, Law revealed in her own words for the first time what could have been a defence during the criminal trial that saw her jailed in 2015.
She said the former helper’s injuries were self-inflicted or due to pre-existing conditions – something she declined to say during the earlier criminal trial.
“One needs a clear conscience when one does things. Only heaven knows, you know and I know,” she went on to say, repeatedly turning to glare at the helper.
