Court acquits Anwar's ex-aide of drug possession, fake gun charges

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide, Yusoff Rawther, has been acquitted of drug trafficking and imitation weapon charges.

• The presiding judge rules that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case and notes that police failed to verify Yusoff’s allegation of entrapment.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has acquitted Yusoff Rawther, the former research assistant to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, of drug trafficking and possession of two imitation pistols charges.

Judge Jamil Hussin ruled today that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case on both charges.

“The prosecution failed to prove that Yusoff had knowledge, custody, and control of the drugs and fake pistols.

“The accused is acquitted and discharged without being called to enter his defence,” the judge was reported as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

FMT quoted Jamil as saying the investigating officers failed to examine Yusoff’s allegation given to the recording officer during his detention that he was the victim of entrapment.

“The police officers had ample time to verify his statement but did not do so,” Jamil reportedly said, adding that this had prejudiced the accused.

Yusoff was accused of trafficking 305g of cannabis whilst in a vehicle outside the surau at Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters at 10.15am on Sept 6, 2024.

He was charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

He was also charged with possession of two imitation firearms near a condominium on Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25am on Sept 6, 2024.

The charge under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 provides for a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both.

FMT reported that Yusoff spent nine months on remand at the Sungai Buloh prison, as drug trafficking charges preclude bail.

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