Accused's lawyer doubtful of IGP's statement

Azam Aziz, the lawyer for the second accused in the smartphone theft case at Low Yat Plaza, is not convinced of the statement made by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday.

This was because he was told a different story by his client, Khairul Azmi Mazlan, he said.

Azam said, through his conversation with the 22 year-old accused, Khalid's statement contradicts with the chronology of events that unfolded during the incident.

"Firstly, the top cop stated that two people had gone to the shop to steal. But according to my client, only one person went up while the rest remained downstairs," he told reporters at the Jalan Duta Court Complex today.

Azam said, Khairul Azmi also denied that he had spread rumours on social media and informed a blogger about the arrest of his friend, Shahrul Anuar Abdul Aziz, who was purportedly detained due to arguing with a trader because he was cheated of a cloned mobile phone.

Azam said Khairul Azmi also denied that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings which were circulated on social media had Shahrul Anuar in it, due to the difference in clothing.

Khairul Azmi is now under remand at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters after being charged with rioting under Section 147/427 of the Penal Code.

Earlier, Shahrul Anuar claimed trial at the KL magistrate’s court to a charge of stealing a Lenovo phone S860 worth RM800 from a shop in Low Yat Plaza last Saturday.

He was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft which is punishable with a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine or caning.

Magistrate Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor fixed bail at RM3,000 in one surety and set Aug 14 for hearing.