Israeli man pleads not guilty to charges of firearms trading, ammunition possesion

Avitan Shalom, 38, made the plea after both charges were read before Judge Tasnim Abu Bakar.

The offences were allegedly committed in a hotel room in Jalan Ampang, here between 6.46 pm on March 26 and 6 pm on March 28.

The man was charged under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 (Act 37) which carries a minimum of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years and not less than six strokes of the cane if found guilty.

For the second charge, the man is accused of possessing ammunition which is a box of Shell Shock NAS3 9mm, containing 8 bullets (B660104); a box of Bullet Master Co. Ltd, containing 50 bullets (B660105); a box of Bullet Master Co. Ltd, containing 50 bullets (B660105); and a box of Bullet Master Co Ltd, containing 50 bullets (B660105), without a gun license or permit.

He was charged with committing the offence at the same place, time and date in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 (Act 206) which provides for a maximum imprisonment of seven years, or a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or both, if convicted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam did not offer any bail as it is a non-bailable offence.

Lawyers Navinjit Singh and Jeffrey Ooi who represented the accused agreed with the prosecution's proposal and did not raise any objections.

The court fixed May 21 for the re-mention of the case.

-- BERNAMA