KOTA KINABALU: Five teenagers to be charged for bullying Zara Qairina have arrived at the Kota Kinabalu Court.
They arrived in a heavily-tinted police van at around 8.30am and were quietly escorted into the Children’s Court.
Watching briefs for the case, including Zara’s mother’s lawyers as well as defence counsels subsequently arrived starting 9am.
Welfare officials were also seen arriving.
The court security was stricter this time, where only relevant personnel were allowed into the premise.
Court proceedings are believed to have started.
Previously, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) said that the prosecution of five minors in Zara Qairina Mahathir’s case was made under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code because it is related to bullying only and not causing the death of the 13-year-old girl.
The AGC explained that the decision to charge the five teenagers under Section 507C(1) was based on a thorough review of the investigation papers.
“Therefore, the AGC reiterates that the charge under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code in this case is grounded on evidence and facts obtained from the completed investigation,” the statement read on Tuesday (Aug 19).
Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, after being found unconscious in a drain near the school dormitory on the morning of July 16 in Papar.
