The Magistrate’s Court in Shah Alam today gave a discharge, but not amounting to an acquittal, to two men charged with supporting the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Magistrate Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin made the decision after allowing an application from the prosecution, conducted by deputy public prosecutor Abu Arsalnaa Zainal Abidin.

Saiful Bahari Ahmad, 49, who is an aircraft technician, was charged with giving support to the terrorist group through a Facebook account at No 2, VVIP Squadron, Subang Air Base here at 7.33 pm on June 12, 2014.

As for Alfian Keram, 44, who is an aircraft security technician, he was freed on a charge of giving support to the terrorist group through the Telegram application and allowing his Maybank account to be used for the benefit of a terrorist by the name of Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi.

The offences were allegedly committed between march 25 and 31 this year at No C-2-05, Level 2, Block C, Pusat Bandar Subang Utama in Shah Alam.

However, soon after the proceeding, the two men were detained by the Bukit Aman Special Branch.

Saiful was detained for investigation under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959, while Alfian under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015.

- Bernama