TAWAU: Two friends escaped the death penalty today when the High Court discharged them from drug trafficking charges filed in July last year.
Judge Datuk Duncan Sikodol granted the prosecution's application to drop the case and ordered a discharge not amounting to acquittal for both accused.
The decision followed a representation appeal submitted by the defendants which was accepted by the state attorney's office on July 12.
According to the charge, Alvedo John, 36, and Azhar Syah Rosliansa, 25, both unemployed, were accused of trafficking 90.46g of methamphetamine near a parking lot at Lorong Puncak Palma 5A, Taman Palma Height, Lahad Datu, at 10.30am on July 11, 2023.
They were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, or whipping.
Today's proceedings were led by deputy public prosecutor Nur Nisla Abdul Latif.
Abdul Ghani Zelika represented John and Mohamed Zairi Zainal Abidin represented Azhar Syah.