Tawau court monitored by armed security personnel

The Tawau Court, which houses the Magistrate's Sessions and High Courts, have been placed under tight surveillance with armed security personnel patrolling the compound since early this morning.

Additional police personnel, who came in two lorries and several cars, began entering the court premises at 7.30am.

Some 40 armed personnel were already stationed in the area cordoned off to the public from 5.30pm yesterday.

The compound outside the court was closed off and monitored, allowing only court workers to enter while journalists could only remain outside.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail was seen entering the court at 8.23am.

The prosecution proceedings on the eight Filipino men will be conducted here this morning after their case was moved to the High Court here.

The terrorists, aged between 17 and 66, were charged for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

For the first charge under Section 121 of the Penal Code, they face the death penalty, while the second charge under Section 130KA of the same code, they face a life imprisonment and fine upon conviction.

Yesterday, the men were charged at the Magistrate's Court which was specially conducted at the Lahad Datu Police Headquarters and the case was subsequently ordered for transfer to the Tawau High Court.