Malaysian court defers sentence of 25 Hindraf activists to 1st Feb 2008

Source : Express India / Malaysiakini

Kuala Lumpur, December 27: A lower court here today postponed the sentencing of 25 activists of an ethnic Indian organisation, who pleaded guilty of causing mischief and taking part in an illegal rally, to February 1 next year.

The accused were part of the 69 people arrested for unlawful gathering after the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) organised a massive rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 to protest the alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

Five students, who were earlier charged together with the 25 at the Sessions Court, were acquitted earlier this month by the same court.

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Eleven of the 69 arrested have jumped police bail and had not appeared in court to face charges, while the rest were charged in the Selayang magistrate's court, Star online paper said today

Attorney-General Chambers' head of prosecution Yusof Zainal Abiden asked for more time to transfer the cases to another court.

This had to be done to consolidate the charges against the Hindraf supporters in both courts. Those charged in Selayang had only been charged for illegal assembly to-date and would be produced in court to face the additional charge of causing mischief, he said.

According to Yusof, the prosecution also needed time to serve arrest warrants on the 11 who had jumped police bail.

All 64 people are expected to be produced in court on Feb 1.

"With the agreement from lawyer A Sivanesan who led an eight-men defence team, judge Azimah Omar said the postponement will give the prosecutors time to consolidate the charges."

"Azimah also told the Hindraf 25 that they could still retract their guilty plea before the sentencing date and claim trial."

"The 25 could face up to five years in prison or a fine, or both, when they are sentenced in five weeks’ time."

"The court room was packed with some 80 supporters and family members of the Hindraf 25. Also present were opposition party leaders who were there to lend support to the accused."

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