KOTA KINABALU: A Filipino accused, described by his lawyer as having been ill throughout the ongoing Lahad Datu intrusion trial, succumbed to asthma attack on Saturday.
Habil Suhaili, 68, died at 12.45pm at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
His counsel, Datuk N. Sivananthan said the foreigner had suffered from severe asthma and had always been ill throughout the trial.
Speaking to Bernama when contacted here yesterday, Sivananthan, who was appointed by the Philippine Government to represent 27 of its nationals, including Habil, said the High Court hearing the case would be informed of the demise today.
He added the defence would continue with the hearing on the remaining dates set by the court.
“We (defence) feel that there is no need to postpone the trial as Habil had already given his testimony,” he noted.
Habil, who had always seen escorted to court in a wheelchair, was charged with being a member of a terrorist group, together with his son, Timhar, 39.
The hearing before Justice Stephen Chung began since Jan 6, 2014 at the Sabah Prison Department and will continue for another 16 days between today (April 25) and May 27.
The Filipinos are jointly tried with three local residents, some are facing one to multiple charges of being members of a terrorist group and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Some are alleged to have recruited members for a terrorist group or wilfully harboured individuals they knew to be members of a terrorist group.
The offences were allegedly committed between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013. – Bernama