65 witnesses to testify in kidnapping trial of Palestinian computer expert
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 65 witnesses will be called to testify in the July trial of 14 people accused of kidnapping a Palestinian computer expert three years ago.
High Court judge K. Muniandy was informed of the number of witnesses by deputy public prosecutors Harvind Raja Gopal and Rozaliana Zakaria during case management today.
Muniady maintained the previous fixed trial dates from July 7 to 11.
He gave the prosecutors two weeks to prepare and submit the witness list for case management on May 23; and witness statements to be served to the defence lawyers two weeks before the trial begins.
The judge exempted the attendance of the 14 accused from the next case management.
The 13 male accused are Mohamad Norakmal Hassan, Dody Junaidi, Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, Mohamad Sufian Saly, Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, Tengku Hazarul Ismail Tengku Hamid, Mohd Azwan Jamaludin, Raibafie Amdan, Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi and Edy Ko'im Said.
The sole female accused is Nidarahayu Zainal, who is married to Raibafie.
All 14 were accused of kidnapping Omar ZM Al-Belbaisy to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones in September 2022.
During proceedings, Harvind said 30 witnesses will be called to testify in the kidnapping trial involving all the accused.
Rozaliana said 35 witnesses will be called to testify in the money laundering trial involving Nidarahayu, her husband, Raibafie and Tengku Arif Bongsu.
"The witnesses are bankers, account holders, as well as civilians," she said.
Among the lawyers representing the accused are Norma Goh Kim Lian, Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli, Simran Kaur and Muhammad Amin Abdullah.
In November last year, Muniandy granted each of the accused a RM50,000 bail in two sureties.
In 2022, they were charged with kidnapping Omar at Jalan Mayang here on Sept 28 with the intention to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones.
The charge carries a jail term of not less than 30 years and a maximum of 40 years and whipping if convicted.
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