A 36-year-old businessman has been charged with four offences at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court in connection with the infamous 'Black Metal' festival.

On Wednesday, Wong Der Woei was accused of operating a business without a permit, holding an entertainment event without a license, placing banners without a permit and selling liquor without a license.

He claimed trial for all the charges. The first hearing was fixed for July 31. Bail was set at RM6,000 for the first three offences and RM1,200 for the last offence. Wong posted bail.

Wong was among the 365 people detained during a New Year's eve raid at a private studio and surrounding areas in Jalan Klang Lama.

Police claimed that it was a drug raid mounted following a public tip-off . But patrons have cried foul.

The organisers have denied the charges and some of those detained are considering taking legal action against the police.

Confiscated equipment

In a related development, Brickfields dustrict police chief Mohd Dzuraidi Ibrahim when met confirmed that four others detained during the raid were still on police bail until Jan 30.

Asked about music equipment seized during the raid, he said that police were trying to expedite the release of the equipment as they had problem storing it.

However, the status of the equipment will depend on the public prosecutor's office decision.

According to Paul Millot, who runs the private studio, the seized equipment is valued at an estimated RM75,000. A portion of the equipment was rented for the event while the rest belonged to the studio.