KUALA LUMPUR: A homeless man was sentenced to four years jail by the High Court today for possessing pictures and videos related to the terror-group Islamic State (IS) earlier this year.
The sentence was meted out by Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak against Hasbullah Hassan, 38, after the man pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing 13 videos and eight pictures related to the IS militant group in his white Samsung mobile phone at Leboh Ampang at 12.20pm on Jan 29.
The charge, under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, was read to him by a court translator.
Hasbullah, who pleaded for leniency, said he did not support IS and pointed out that he had kept the materials because he was curious about the group.
“I searched about IS and save pictures and videos related to the group as I wanted to know more about them.
“I didn't know that doing so was wrong until I was arrested by the police,” he said.
Mohd Sofian, however, said the accused could not use this as an excuse as keeping IS-related materials is considered a serious offence which could destabilise the nation.
“This is total ignorance of the law and you must pay for the consequences… I hope you will be a better person after serving your jail sentence.
“The court must also consider the public interest and handed down a deterrent sentence to avoid others from committing the same offence,” he said.
Mohd Sofian also ordered Hasbullah’s jail sentence to run from the date of his arrest on Jan 29.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Munirah Samsudin @ Baharum prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
Meanwhile, a medical officer, Mohd Khairul Azhar Hasan claimed trial at the same court for allegedly committing the same offence at about 12.20pm on Apr 3.
The 36-year-old man was accused of possessing items related to IS in his Facebook account ‘Khairulazhar Hasan’ at Level 24, Bahagian E8 Cawangan Khas, Bukit Aman.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurfaida Mohd Rashidee prosecuted while Khairul Azhar was represented by Mohd Hezri Shaharil.
The court fixed Oct 23 for mention.