COURT GRANTS RM50,000 BAIL EACH FOR 14 CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING PALESTINIAN MAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The High Court today granted bail of RM50,000 with two sureties each to 14 individuals, including one woman, charged with kidnapping a Palestinian man two years ago.

Judge K. Muniandy approved the bail after submissions from the defence lawyers and imposed the additional condition of prohibiting communication with prosecution witnesses throughout the trial.

The judge also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station monthly and to surrender their passports to the court pending the conclusion of the case. 

“I am also issuing a gag order barring the defendants from discussing or commenting on the case in any media, publications, or social media.

"Each defendant is reminded not to communicate in any form with prosecution witnesses, either intentionally or otherwise, or with any individual who may or may not be connected to the alleged offence," he emphasised. 

"Any form of harassment, threats, or violation of the imposed bail conditions will entitle the court to revoke the bail," said Judge Muniandy.

The court has set Jan 23, 2025, for the next case mention and July 7 to 11, 2025, for the trial.

In October 2022, 14 individuals were charged in the Magistrate's Court here with conspiring to detain the victim, aged 31, to extract confidential information used to create and deactivate mobile phone hacking software.

The accused are Mohamad Norakmal Hassan, 43; Dody Junaidi, 44; Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, 41; Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, 41; Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, 42; Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, 27; Mohamad Sufian Saly, 25; Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, 56; Tengku Hazarul Ismail Tengku Hamid, 51; and Mohd Azwan Jamaludin, 39, Nidarahayu Zainal, 36; Raibafie Amdan, 41; Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi, 25; and Edy Ko'im Said, 42.

They are charged with committing the offence on Jalan Mayang at 10.40 pm on Sept 28, 2022, under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of 30 to 40 years, along with caning, upon conviction. 

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad proposed bail of RM200,000 for each accused, citing the serious nature of the case, which has garnered international attention.

The accused, represented by lawyers Kelvinder Singh Sidhu, Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli, Goh Cia Yee, Muhammad Amin Abdullah, and Wan Muhd Ariff Ameer Wan Normazlan, requested a lower amount, contending that their clients are innocent until proven guilty.

The defence also highlighted that the accused have been imprisoned for two years, with some having their assets frozen following the charges.

Additionally, many of them are dealing with health issues and have young children.

-- BERNAMA