GEORGE TOWN, Sept 10 (Bernama) — Three men and two women from Iran were charged in separate Magistrates’ Courts here today with various offences, including theft, drug possession and overstaying in the country.
Tarfi Ghader, 33, pleaded not guilty to two counts of stealing RM400 in cash from a foreign tourist at a convenience store at 9.40 pm on August 1 and US$260 from another foreign tourist at Gurney Drive at 7.45 pm on July 30.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Danial Amir Saad prosecuted both charges under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Tarfi, along with his four compatriots, Fazeli Payam, 33; Dinarvand Siavash, 28; Zahra Hasani, 30; and Sara Ghiyas, 19, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing 5 grammes of cannabis at an apartment in Batu Ferringhi at 12.30 am on August 3.
The charge, framed under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Meanwhile, Tarfi, Fazeli and Zahra also pleaded not guilty to overstaying in the country without valid reasons, an offence under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963, which carries a fine of not less than RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The charges were read in Persian before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi, who denied them bail and fixed October 9 for case mention.
In a separate court, Dinarvand pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Muhammad Amzar Ismail to stealing RM1,000 in cash from a foreign tourist at a shopping mall at 9.20 pm on July 30, under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
Tarfi and Fazeli also claimed trial to drug abuse charges under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years’ jail.
Muhammad Amzar denied bail to all the accused and fixed October1 for case mention.
Before Magistrate Siti Nurul Suhaila Baharin, Dinarvand and Sara also pleaded not guilty to overstaying in the country without valid reasons, under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act. Both of them were also denied bail.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Lau Shavin, while lawyer R. Thandayuthabany Pillay represented all the accused. — Bernama
