The magistrate’s court in Kuala Lumpur today allowed the trial of the three men charged with the kidnapping of Dutch national Nayati Shamelin Moodliar, 12, for a RM300,000 ransom, to be transferred to the High Court.   

However, magistrate Erry Shahriman Nor Aripin, who was informed by deputy public prosecutor S Malini Anne that the prosecution had compiled all the necessary documents, did not set a date for the trial.    

Lee Phak Seng, 19, Chang Tat Siong, 24, Foong Khar Fai, 24, and another suspect still at large, were charged with kidnapping Nayati at Jalan Kiara 1, Mont Kiara, at 7.30 am on April 27.  

They face death or life imprisonment as well as whipping, upon conviction under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961.      

Chang and Foong were represented by Rejinder Singh, while Chong Joo Tian appeared for Lee.    

Nayati was released by his kidnappers at the Sungai Buloh rest area at 7.55am on May 3, a week after being abducted just outside the Mont Kiara International School.     

- Bernama