Manager jailed 7 years for attempting to enter Syria to commit terrorism

KUALA LUMPUR: A workshop manager was sentenced to seven years’ jail by the High Court here yesterday for attempting to enter Syria to commit terrorist acts.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah handed down the sentence on Azmi Mohd Asari, 28, who pleaded guilty to the charge.

He was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on May 18 this year.

Do not regard peace as something that can be easily obtained. Datuk Azman Abdullah, Judge

Azmi was charged with attempting to enter Syria through Gaziantep by going to Turkey with the intention of committing terrorism in the country.

He was alleged to have taken a Turkish Airlines flight to Turkey from KL International Airport in Sepang at 9.20pm on July 19, 2014.

The charge was made under Section 130JA of the Penal Code which provided an imprisonment up to 15 years, and liable to a fine upon conviction.

Before handing down the sentence, Azman said Malaysians should appreciate the peaceful situation in the country and not easily sympathise with terrorists in Syria by joining them.

“Do not regard peace as something easily obtained. People in countries facing conflict, if given the opportunity to stay in Malaysia, will jump at the opportunity,” said the judge.

He advised Azmi to be grateful that his intention to go to Syria was not realised as he had a family and a wife, whom he married two months before he was arrested.

“The court believes that if the intention by the accused was not hampered, he would have been in Syria to fight for the terrorist group. This sentence is not only to punish, but as a reminder and warn people not to sympathise with or support terrorist groups,” he added.

In mitigation, Azmi, represented by lawyer Farida Mohammad, said it was his first offence and he was remorseful. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Izhanudin Alias prosecuted.

According to the facts of the case, Azmi attempted to enter Syria through Turkey, but was arrested by Turkish authorities and deported to Malaysia. After returning home, Azmi told his family and friends that his intention of going to Syria was to join the terrorists. – Bernama