VIDEO | 1.50 min

Three PKR Youth leaders were today charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act for gathering at the Ar-Rahman Mosque near Universiti Malaya on June 22.

The trio, Nazree Mohd Yunus, 29, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, 38, and Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, 36, were charged in a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur.

They were charged under Section 4 (2) (b) of the Act, which is related to gathering in a restricted area.

All three pleaded not guilty and were allowed bail on personal bonds of RM2,000.

Sessions court judge Mat Ghani Abdullah fixed Sept 23 for case management and for the trial to commence on Dec 11.

Masjid Ar-Rahman was one of seven gathering points leading to Padang Merbok during Pakatan Rakyat's "Black 505 Rally" on June 22.

NONE To date, 43 people have been charged with attending a series of "Black 505 Rallies".

Defence lawyer Yusmadi Yusof argued that there was a difference between assembling at a mosque and and attending the Black Rally, which was also held that day, and asked for the bail to be lowered to RM1,000.

"There is a difference when someone assembles at Padang Merbok and when someone assembles at a mosque.

"The closest intention would be to pray. Before this, PKR director of strategy Rafizi (Ramli) and (Seremban MP) Anthony Loke were charged with attending the rally.

"This gives a wrong message that those who attended the rally and those who came to pray will be similarly prosecuted," Yusmadi said.

However, judge Mat Ghani maintained the bail at RM2,000.

Counsel A Jeyaseelen said his clients were considering filing an application to seek a declaration that the restricted area went against the federal constitution.