RELEASED ON BAIL: (From left) Saiful and Mohammad waiting outside the court registration counter. At right is Shankar.
KUCHING: Two brothers charged with obstructing policemen on duty during the recent Malaysia Super League match between Sarawak and Kelantan claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday.
Abang Saiful Zahrin Abang Abdul Rahim, 30 and Abang Mohammad Zakri Abang Abdul Rahim, 28, appeared before Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad who released each of them on RM10,000 bail with two local sureties who must be living in Kuching with income not less than RM1,500 per month, pending the next hearing.
They are charged with obstructing three policemen namely Amzari Othman, Sim Thiang Khoon and Kerus Bantingal Ukal who were assigned to the State Stadium during the football match.
The policemen were trying to disengage the supporters believed to have caused a riot after the match.
The offence was allegedly committed at the stadium at 11pm on April 7.
The duo will be tried under Section 186 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants from discharging their duties, which carries a maximum two years’ jail, or with fine which may extend to RM10,000 or with both, on conviction.
Abang Saiful is facing another charge under Section 326 of the Penal Code for allegedly causing grievous hurt to Amzari.
The section carries a maximum 20 years’ jail and a fine or whipping on conviction.
He denied the allegation that he had punched Amzari on the face which caused serious injuries to his lip at the same time and place.
Dayang Ellyn fixed pre trial case management on May 11 whereby both brothers will be jointly tried before Judge Nixon Kennedy Kumbong on July 13, 16 and 17
Earlier, the brothers’ counsels Shankar Ram Asnani and Daniel Ling had raised an objection; that the police only sent their clients to the hospital much later after they (brothers) complained of being assaulted by the police during the incident.
They (counsels) also said that the five witnesses whose names they had tendered to the authority for investigation purposes were never called for the recording of their statement.
The brothers were picked from their house in Tabuan Jaya about 7.50pm on Sunday and seized as exhibits from the house were a T-shirt and the Sarawak team’s kit.
Prosecuting was ASP Carl Patrick Ramesh.