Providing facility for terrorist activities: Businessman-cum-muazzin charged

A businessman, who is also a muazzin, pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to a charge of providing a bank account for use to support terrorist activities.

Mohd Naazri Ishak @ Bahari, 49, was charged with providing a Maybank account with the knowledge that the facility would be used by or would benefit a terrorist group.

The offence was allegedly committed at 8.20am in Bandar Tun Razak here last March 22.

The businessman, who has five children and from Jitra, Kedah, was charged under Section 130O (1)(b)(bb) of the Penal Code.

He faced an imprisonment for up to 30 years and is liable to fine, if found guilty.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah set four days, from Oct 17, to hear the case.

The court also set Oct 17 to hear a preliminary objection submitted by Mohd Naazri's lawyer, Musa Ismail, to quash the charge against his client.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam.

Earlier, Mohd Naazri, who runs an electrical shop, requested the court's permission to be allowed to contact his office once a week to obtain information on his company's progress.

However, Mohamad Shariff advised him to discuss the matter with his lawyer and to contact his next of kin to manage the business.

Mohd Naazri was then taken to Sungai Buloh prison.