KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court today dismissed a bail application for 13 suspects charged with the kidnapping of a Palestinian man two years ago.
Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali made the decision after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence counsels.
"I agree with the submissions by the prosecution and have decided that the application by the accused to be granted bail is not allowed.
"The accused are to be remanded until the trial concludes," she said.
She set Feb 28 for mention.
The court room gallery was packed with family members of the accused.
Some of them were seen speaking to the accused before the start of the proceedings.
In Oct 2022, the 13 suspects were charged with kidnapping Omar ZM Al-Belbaisy, 31, at Jalan Mayang on Sept 28 with the intention to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones.
The charge, under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act, carries a jail term of not less than 30 years and maximum of 40 years and whipping if convicted.
The accused are Edy Ko'im Said,42; Mohamad Norakmal Hassan, 43; Dody Junaidi, 44; Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, 41; Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, 41; Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, 42; Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, 27; Mohamad Sufian Saly, 25; Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi, 23; Nidarahayu Zainal, 36; Raibafie Amdan, 41; Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, 56; and Tengku Hazarul Ismail Tengku Hamid, 51.
No plea was recorded as the case comes under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
In Dec last year, the High Court allowed the case to be transferred and tried in the Sessions Court.
On Jan 19, the charge was read out again in the Sessions Court and the accused had then made the application for bail.
The prosecution was led by Kuala Lumpur prosecution director Datin Kalmizah Salleh.
Accused Edy Ko'im was represented by Kelvin Sidhu while Norma Go stood for Mohamad Norakmal, Dody, Tengku Arif Bongsu, Mohamad Naziree, Faizull Hardey, Muhammad Iqmal, Mohamad Sufian, Mohd Zaidi and Tengku Hazarul Ismail.
Nidarahayu and Raibafie were represented by counsels Muhammad Amin Abdullah and Wan Muhd Ariff Ameer Wan Normazlan.