Two businessmen plead not guilty to supporting Daesh militant group

Two businessmen pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to two counts of giving support to the Daesh militant group.

Hizmi Razli Abdul Rahim, 33, and Tengku Shukri Che Engku Hashim, 31, made the plea after the charges were read to them separately before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman.

Their cases, transferred from the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court, were mentioned for the first time at the High Court here today.

On the first count, Hizmi Razli and Tengku Shukri were charged with knowingly giving support to the Daesh militant group through the telegram application on their mobile phones under the "Gagak Hitam" Group.

Hizmi Razli was charged with committing the offence at Kampung Pulau Kapas, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, at 12.37 am last March 30, while Tengku Shukri was alleged to have committed the offence at Taman Tanjung Mas, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, at 5.08 pm on the same day.

They were also charged with giving support to terrorist act with the use of explosives with intention to further the ideology, an action that can be regarded as intending to disrupt public order in Malaysia through the Telegram application of the 'amanah (phb) vs pas' group.

Hizmi Razli was alleged to have committed the second offence in Kampung Pulau Kapas at 3.32 am on June 28, 2016, while Tengku Shukri at Taman Tanjong Mas, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, between 3.18 am and 11.27 pm the same day.

They were charged under Section 130J(1)(a) and Section 130J(1)(b) of the Penal Code which provide a life imprisonment, or imprisonment for up to 30 years, or with fine, and forfeiture of any items used in the commission of the offence, if found guilty.

The court set May 12 for mention.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor, while Hizmi Razli and Tengku Shukri were unrepresented.

-- BERNAMA