2 friends charged with trying to enter Syria

KUALA LUMPUR: Two friends were charged at the Sessions Court yesterday with three counts of terror-related offences.

Mohamad Awang, 41, and Indonesian Anwar, 28, nodded to indicate they understood the charges read to them before judge Zaman Mohd Noor.

Mohamad, a technician, was charged with attempting to enter war-torn Syria with the intention to commit terror acts. He allegedly committed the offence at Crystal Crown Hotel in Jalan Jambu Mawar, off Jalan Kepong Utama here, at noon on Feb 21.

Anwar, who was a farmer in Indonesia, was charged with a similar offence and another count of possessing a video on his smartphone related to the Islamic State terror group at the same place and time.

Zaman did not allow bail and fixed April 28 for mention. He ordered both accused to appoint a lawyer before the case was transferred to the High Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurfaida Mohd Rashidee prosecuted.