Jail time reduced for IS supporters

PUTRAJAYA: A financial consultant and a cafe manager, who admitted to soliciting funds for the Islamic State (IS) group had their sentences reduced from 15 years to 10 by the Federal Court yesterday.

A panel of five Federal Court judges reduced the jail term imposed last year by the Court of Appeal on financial consultant Rohaimi Abd Rahim, 40, and cafe manager Muhammad Fauzi Misrak, 38.

The judges led by Tan Sri Suryadi Halim Omar, who sat together with Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali, Tan Sri Datuk Ramly Ali, Datuk Balia Wahi and Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham delivered a unanimous decision yesterday.

“We have to find a fair sentence, which would reflect seriousness (of the offence) yet not impose an unfair or excessive sentence,” said Suryadi, adding that the case is distinguishable from other cases.

“We allow the appeal. We have decided to vary the sentences to 10 years’ jail, effective from the date of arrest (Oct 13, 2014) and (order) the sentences to run concurrently.”

Rohaimi had pleaded guilty to soliciting funds for the benefit of IS in Syria through a blog, while Muhammad Fauzi had admitted to conspiring with Rohaimi by allowing his bank account to be used in the blog as a medium to obtain the funds. – by Tamarai Chelvi