
Five teenage girls arrive in Kota Kinabalu's Children's Court to face bullying charges, as inquest into Zara Qairina's death looms
The five minors involved will be charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, relating to the offence of using or making any threatening, abusive, or insulting words or communication.
All five arrived at the court at 8.25am in a van escorted by police vehicles.
Earlier, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) said in a statement that it had examined the investigation papers into Zara Qairina's death referred by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and decided to charge several suspects involved based on the available evidence.
The AGC also said that an inquest proceeding must still be conducted to determine the actual cause of death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina.
The Kota Kinabalu Coroner's Court on Monday had set September 3 to begin inquest proceedings to investigate the cause of Zara Qairina's death.
On August 12, the AGC decided to proceed with an inquest to determine the cause and reason behind the death of the Form One student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha after reviewing the investigation report submitted by PDRM.
Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, after being found unconscious in a drain near the school dormitory on the morning of July 16. — Bernama

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