Teacher to enter defence for backing terror

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here ordered a secondary school counselling teacher to enter his defence on charges of supporting terrorism and possession of items relating to the IS terrorist group.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah ordered Razis Awang, 32, to enter his defence yesterday after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against him.

“The court has heard, read and studied the testimony by the prosecution witnesses and finds that the prosecution has succeeded in establishing a prima facie case and the court calls the accused to enter his defence,'” said Azman, who then fixed Oct 31 for Razis to do so.

On July 7, 2017, Razis pleaded not guilty to knowingly supporting IS by making the bai'ah (loyalty pledge) through messaging app Telegram on his handphone in the chat group gagak hitam using the name “Razis” at Lorong Senangin 2/3 , Taman Senangin , Kulim, Kedah, at 8.11am on March 30, 2016.

The charge, under Section 30J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for life or up to 30 years , or with fine, and shall also be liable to forfeiture of any property used in the commission of the act, if found guilty.

He also pleaded not guilty to a charge with possession of six images in his handphone and three images in his laptop related to terrorist group at the same place at 7.20pm on Sept 28 last year.