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Chinese nationals to stand trial in 2026 over Mindef drone offence
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has fixed a four-day trial, commencing on April 27 next year, for the case of two Chinese nationals charged with taking aerial photographs using a drone in a prohibited area under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry.
Judge Izralizam Sanusi set the trial dates for April 27 to 30, 2026, following confirmation from deputy public prosecutor Faizah Khalilah Zaberi and defence counsel S Rubanyah, representing the accused, Li Luorong, 26, and Chen Junhao, 19.
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has fixed a four-day trial, commencing on April 27 next year, for the case of two Chinese nationals charged with taking aerial photographs using a drone in a prohibited area under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry.
Judge Izralizam Sanusi set the trial dates for April 27 to 30, 2026, following confirmation from deputy public prosecutor Faizah Khalilah Zaberi and defence counsel S Rubanyah, representing the accused, Li Luorong, 26, and Chen Junhao, 19.
Earlier, Faizah informed the court that several key documents pertaining to the case had yet to be obtained.
"The documents pertain to the declaration of the ministry premises as a prohibited area by the chief government security officer and the Armed Forces Headquarters Department concerning the security perimeter.
"The prosecution requires approximately two weeks to secure the aforesaid documents," she submitted.
The defence counsel did not object, and the court subsequently fixed Oct 10 for the next case mention.
On the first charge, the two accused were jointly charged with intent to obtain official information for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, namely, taking an aerial photograph using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone within a gazetted prohibited area without authorisation.
The offence is alleged to have been committed at the B Field of the Defence Ministry, Jalan Padang Tembak, at 11.50am on Aug 6.
They were charged under Section 3(a) of the Official Secrets Act 1972, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries imprisonment for life.
They were further charged with taking an aerial photograph using the same type of drone for surveying or reconnaissance purposes without authorisation at the same location, date, and time.
The offence under Section 4(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1972, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for an imprisonment of between one and 14 years.
- Bernama
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