Ex-convict charged with possession of terrorism-related materials

The Kota Bharu Sessions Court today has charged a former convict with four counts of possessing materials related to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

Nik Mohd Shalahuddin Zakaria, who previously served a three-year prison sentence for a similar offence, nodded after the charges were read out before judge Zulkifli Abllah.

However, no plea was recorded as the case is under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

On the first two charges, the 40-year-old is alleged to have items related to terrorist acts and IS involving 1,020 photos, 26 videos and 321 articles in the portable document format (PDF) stored in a black Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro mobile phone.

Similar items, comprising 378 photos, 36 videos and 244 articles in PDF were also found in an Oppo A16K cell phone belonging to him.

The offences were committed in Kampung Senang, Kota Jembal, Kota Bharu at 9.15am on June 10.

The charges were framed under Section 130JB(1) of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum prison sentence of seven years or a fine, and the confiscation of any property used or intended to be used in committing the offence.

For the third charge, the man was alleged to have given support to IS on Facebook under the name “Ahmad Saif Al-Islam Il”.

The act was detected at 10.15pm at the Bukit Aman police headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, on June 10.

The charge was framed under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of not more than 40 years or with a fine.

An IS caliph

Nik Shalahuddin was also charged with being a member of the IS group by performing the “Baiah” ceremony with IS leader Abu Hafs Al Hashimi Al-Qurashi as a caliph in Kampung Senang on June 10.

The offence, framed under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to 40 years or with a fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Hasim appeared for the prosecution, while Nik Shalahuddin was unrepresented.

No bail was offered to the accused as provided under Section 13 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

The court set Aug 19 for mention and also to decide on the prosecution’s application to transfer the hearing of the case to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

- Bernama

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