Several people linked to Zara Qairina's death to be charged
PETALING JAYA : Several suspects believed to have bullied Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose death sparked national outrage, will be charged in court, the Attorney-General's Chambers said.
In a statement, the AGC said the decision to haul the suspects to court will not disrupt the inquest into the teenager's death, which is set to begin on Sept 3.
The AGC also said the decision to prosecute the suspects for bullying will not affect the ongoing investigation by police into Zara's death.
Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar said five suspects under the age of 18 will be charged at the Kota Kinabalu children's court on Wednesday, Utusan Malaysia reported.
The AGC's decision to charge the suspects comes after home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat today that the probe into Zara's death had revealed elements of bullying, neglect and sexual harassment.
Saifuddin said these elements were uncovered after recording statements from 195 witnesses, including her hostel mates, adding that the signs of bullying were 'clear'.
Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu the following day.
Her body was exhumed on Aug 9 to allow for a post-mortem amid allegations of bullying.
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