KOTA BARU: Two soldiers were charged at the Sessions Court here today with raping a 10-year-old girl at a house in Jelawat, Bachok, in April last year.
The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charges were read to them before Judge Ahmad Bazli Bahruddin.
The charges, read separately, stated that both were accused of raping a girl who was then 10 years and 8 months old, during the day at a house in Taman CT Jaya, Jelawat, Bachok, in April last year.
The charges were framed under Section 376(2)(e) of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum jail term of 10 years and up to 20 years, along with whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamarul Hasyime Rosli led the prosecution, while the accused were represented by lawyers Majidah Muhamad and Mohd Firdaus Zainal Abidin.
Earlier, Kamarul Hasyime did not offer bail, citing the fact that the victim was a child.
In his appeal, Mohd Firdaus requested bail, arguing that his clients, who are public servants, had cooperated fully with the police and had voluntarily surrendered at the Bachok Police Station.
"One of my clients is nearing mandatory retirement next year and has to support four school-going children.
"The other client has just completed his training and is scheduled to report for work tomorrow," he said.
The court subsequently granted bail of RM10,000 for each accused, with the condition that they report to the nearest police station every month and are prohibited from contacting or harassing witnesses.
The court also set Feb 2 as the date for the case mention.