KUALA LUMPUR: Nine of the 13 accused in the alleged kidnapping of a Palestinian computer expert here two years ago have sent a representation to have their charges withdrawn or reduced.
Their lawyer, Norma Goh Kim Lian, told High Court judge K. Muniandy today that the representation was sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers a month ago.
Goh is representing Mohamad Norakmal Hassan, Dody Junaidi, Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, Mohamad Sufian Saly, Mohamad Zaidi Mohd Zain and Tengku Hazarul Ismail Tengku Hamid.
The other accused — Nidarahayu Zainal, Raibafie Amdan, Muhammad Al Hatim Mohd Fauzi and Edy Ko'im Said — will each send their representations soon.
This was confirmed by their respective lawyers — Muhammad Amin Abdullah, Wan Muhd Ariff Ameer Wan Normazlan, Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli and Navinjit Singh — during proceedings.
A representation is usually sent to seek a retraction of a charge or to lower severity of the alleged offence.
Muniandy set Aug 22 to hear the bail application of all of the accused.
He also fixed July 7 to 11 next year for trial.
Kuala Lumpur prosecution director Datin Kalmizah Salleh said 30 witnesses would be called.
In October 2022, 11 suspects were charged with kidnapping Omar ZM Al-Belbaisy, 31, at Jalan Mayang here on Sept 28 with the intention to force him to deactivate computer software and hack into mobile phones.
Two more were charged later that month with the same offence.
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.
No plea has been recorded from them and all of them were denied bail.