MUAR: Three individuals, including two top-scoring Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students, were charged in the Sessions Court here today with raping an underage acquaintance in July and this month.
The three of them are Muhammad Ammar Zikry Mohd Izrak, Muhammad Anaqi Lukmanulhakim- both 18 years old- and Muhammad Daniel Haikal Helmi Effero, 20. However, all three accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in front of Judge Abu Bakar Manat.
Muhammad Ammar Zikry, Muhammad Anaqi and Muhammad Daniel Haikal who are the first, second and third accused respectively, each face one charge of rape.
According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Ammar Zikry and Muhammad Anaqi were accused of raping a 12-year-old female acquaintance in an oil palm plantation near Sri Gading, Batu Pahat, at 11.30 pm.
As a result, they were charged with the offence under Section 375B of the Penal Code, which involves group rape and carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Daniel Haikal was accused of raping the same victim in a house in Batu Pahat, with the incident occurring at 8.30 pm in the middle of last month.
The diploma holder was charged with the offence under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and caning.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Danial Munir, while Muhammad Ammar Zikry was represented by Aqmarul Aqil Ismail.
Muhammad Anaqi and Muhammad Daniel Haikal were represented by Aqmarul Aqil Ismail too but only on a pro bono basis for their bail.
Earlier, the prosecution requested the court to impose bail of RM25,000 on Muhammad Ammar Zikry and Muhammad Anaqi, and RM20,000 on Muhammad Daniel Haikal.
Aqmarul Aqil then requested the court to ease the bail conditions for all three accused, taking into account their academic and co-curricular records.
After considering the arguments from both sides, the court allowed bail of RM8,000 each with one bailor.
The court also set the condition that all the accused must report to the nearby police station and must not interfere or communicate with the victim and her family.
If they fail to comply with these conditions, the court ruled that bail for all three accused would be revoked.