Azizul admits to hitting kids

He admitted to hitting his children, but these were rare occasions, around two or three times a year, and it never took place in Sweden, but back in Malaysia and South Africa.

Azizul refuted his children's claims that he had abused them over a period of three years since 2010 while the family was living in Sweden.

Regarding the two rotans that were found in their home in Stockholm, Azizul claimed that he never used these objects to hit any of his children as they were just bought as souvenirs.

Azizul added that he has forgotten many of the incidents mentioned by his children in their video interviews with the investigating officer.

According to a family friend in Sweden who attended the hearing, Azizul appeared stern as he answered questions by the prosecutor, Anna Arnell, which were translated from Swedish to English.

He was sitting next to his lawyer, Jonas Tamm.

Azizul and his wife, Shalwati Nor Shal, have been detained since Dec 2013 for allegedly abusing their four children, who are now under the care of their aunt in Kelantan.

They were brought home from Sweden by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin, last month.

The elder children, Aishah, 14, and Ammar are now schooling at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Kala while Adam, 11, and Arif are now studing at Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Kala, Kota Bharu.