Inspector among 5 cops who claim trial to extortion charges

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One of the accused being led out of the court room after claiming trial to the charge.

The accused arrive at the temporary cell in the court complex.

KUCHING: A police inspector was among five policemen who claimed trial to extortion charges at the Sessions Court here yesterday.

Inspector Joslin Savantil, 53, from state police headquarters (administration department) and Corporal Muhamad Mustaqim Che Ismail, 31 from the Kuching District police operation room were accused of extorting money from the proprietor of a grocery shop in Matang.

They allegedly extorted RM2,000 from the complainant who allegedly sold illegal cigarettes about 8.30pm on Aug 3.

In another court room, Joslin was jointly charged with Lance Corporal Mohd Aslan Rasgan, 32, and Lance Corporal Mohd Noor Faiz Khaliddi, 25, who are attached to the police operation room and D4 unit respectively, for allegedly committing a similar offence at a convenience store in Batu Lintang about 12.30pm on July 31.

They allegedly demanded RM1,500 from the complainant who also allegedly sold illegal cigarettes.

Mustaqim was also jointly charged with Corporal Hamizam Hamdi Chia, 32, for allegedly extorting money from a man who allegedly conducted illegal gambling (holo) and sold illegal lottery at 6.30pm on Aug 8 at Kampung Temaga Dayak in Sematan.

They were accused of demanding RM500 from the complainant.

They appeared before three judges namely Afidah Abdul Rahman, Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad and Timothy Finlayson Joel.

The accused were subsequently released on RM20,000 court bail in two sureties each for each charge pending the disposal of the case.

Two of them were ordered not to communicate with the complainant by any means and also not to enter the premises where the evidence is kept.

DPP Nor Azahari Yusof, DPP Haresh Prakash and DPP Ahmad Fariz Abdul Hamid appeared for the prosecution.

All the accused are being represented by Shankar Ram Asnani and Daniel Ling, except for Faiz, who is represented by Hani Iryani Boni.