Latest news with #wrongfulconfinement
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
8 change pleas to not guilty on charges of extortion, threatening to kill man
All eight had initially pleaded guilty to the charges in the Johor Bahru magistrates' court on April 25. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : Eight people, including a woman known as 'Bella', changed their pleas from guilty to not guilty at the Johor Bahru magistrates' court today on charges of extorting, confining and threatening to kill a man in Plentong last April. Bella, whose real name is Nuredrianna Balqqisyh Anabella Norazman, 22, and the other seven recorded the change in plea on three charges before magistrate A Shaarmini today, Bernama reported. The other seven are Aqmal Hafifi Mustafa Kamal, 25, Ahmad Rushdi Jumadi, 23, Nur Shafiq Abdullah, 25, Haikal Zulkarnain, 19, Amierul Hakim Shamsuri, 23, Danish Hakim Kamaruddin, 20, and Syamsul Hamiziey Saiful Razali, 19. On the first charge, they were jointly accused of criminal intimidation by issuing death threats to Faris Syahmi Ridzwan, 22. On the second charge, the eight, along with two others still at large, were accused of extortion by threatening Faris to pay them RM3,000 or face further assault by the group. This allegedly led to the victim handing over RM650 in cash and the key to his motorcycle to one of the accused, Amierul. On the third charge, all the accused, along with two others still at large, were jointly accused of wrongfully confining the victim. All eight had pleaded guilty before magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab to the three charges on April 25. In separate proceedings before magistrate Nur Fatin Farid today, the seven men also changed their pleas to not guilty on a fourth charge of voluntarily causing hurt to the same victim, along with one other accomplice still at large. The seven men had pleaded guilty to the fourth charge before Atifah on April 25. All the alleged offences were said to have been committed at a flat in Plentong, Masai, between 10pm and 4am, from April 18 to 19. The first three charges were framed under Sections 506, 384 and 342 of the Penal Code respectively, while the fourth charge under Section 323 of the same Code. The offences carry penalties of imprisonment of up to 10 years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. Syamsul was represented by counsel Nurul Nadia Yunos, Amierul by T Haressh, Aqmal by Khairulazwad Sariman and Rushdi by Syahmi Nawawi. The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Nik Noratini Nik Azman and Nur Fatihah Nizam. Both Shaarmini and Fatin fixed July 17 for the next mention of the case, submission of documents, and for the accused who are yet to be represented to appoint counsel.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Make me ad hoc prosecutor, I'll solve Beng Hock's case in 21 days, says lawyer
Lawyer-activist M Visvanathan asked why the police had chosen to launch their recent investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement. KUALA LUMPUR : Lawyer-activist M Visvanathan has proposed that the Attorney-General's Chambers appoint him as an ad hoc prosecutor to oversee the case involving Teoh Beng Hock's death. Visvanathan, chairman of Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (Edict), said he would be able to solve the case within 21 days if he were appointed as a special prosecutor. Speaking at a gathering in solidarity with Teoh's family here, the lawyer said three doctors had confirmed that the deceased had injuries to his neck which occurred prior to his fall from the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam. He added that these doctors previously confirmed the matter in court. Visvanathan questioned why the police had launched their recent investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement, when there was evidence that Teoh had suffered injuries prior to his fall. 'We have had multiple attorney-generals (AGs), prime ministers and inspectors-general of police since 2009, yet the mystery of Teoh's death still haunts the nation. 'I propose to the AG, prime minister and home ministry: make me the ad hoc prosecutor. I will solve this case within 21 days of my appointment,' he said. Last month, Teoh's family was informed by police that their latest investigation into the case had been classified as requiring no further action or NFA. On Nov 21 last year, the High Court had directed the police to complete their long-delayed investigation into the death of Teoh more than 15 years ago. Teoh died on July 16, 2009 at the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). An inquest was held and the coroner returned an open verdict. However, the Court of Appeal in 2014 ruled that Teoh's death was caused by 'one or more persons unknown', including MACC officers. In 2019, police launched an investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement. Prior to 2018, two special investigation teams were set up – one in 2011 and the other in 2015 – to look into Teoh's death, but both cases were classified as NFA by the public prosecutor.
