Fisherman gets four years’ jail for trafficking 21 Afghans

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SHAH ALAM: A fisherman was yesterday sentenced to four years’ jail by the Sessions Court here after he was found guilty of trafficking 21 Afghans last year.

Judge Slamat Yahya said the prosecution had proven its case against Sapri Mohamad, 44, beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sapri and another person still at large were charged with human trafficking at the estuary of Sungai Haji Changkat Dorani in Sungai Besar at 10:15pm on Feb 17, 2010.

The charge under Section 13 of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 provides for a maximum 20 years’ jail and a fine upon conviction.

Slamat said testimony by prosecution witnesses showed that the Afghan men aged 18-54 years were exploited and trafficked.

Defence counsel Pritam Singh Rajput asked the court for stay of execution pending appeal in the High Court.

The judge allowed the application and increased bail from RM25,000 to RM50,000 with two sureties.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Maisara Kamal prosecuted. — Bernama