Detained couple's children will not testify in Sweden - Sukaguam

KLUANG: The four children of Azizul Raheem Awaluddin and Shalwati Norshal, the couple who are detained in Sweden, will not be testifying at their parents' trial, SukaGuam chairman Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat said Saturday.

Saying the children's earlier statement could be challenged, he claimed that it was possibly made under duress or they were persuaded to believe their parents would be freed if they did so.

He was speaking to reporters after attending a gathering with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at Kem Mahkota here.

He added that representatives from SukaGuam, academicians and community figures would be going to Sweden soon to provide support for the couple.

Azizul Raheem, a Tourism Malaysia director in Stockholm and Shalwati, a school teacher on unpaid leave, were charged in a Stockholm court on Feb 10 for allegedly hitting and abusing their children in several incidents between Sept 2010 to December last year.

They were earlier reported to have been detained for allegedly hitting their 12-year-old son for not performing his prayers.

Their children Aisyah, 14, Ammar, 12, Adam, 11 and Arif, seven, were brought home by their Aunt and enrolled in a school in Kelantan.

Khairul added that SukaGuam hoped to convince the Swedish court to obtain the latest statements from the children by sending their representative to Malaysia.

"The children show no signs of abuse, there are no bruises or broken bones. There are no emotional issues either and they're prepared to help defend their parents," he said.

The trial is scheduled to commence on Feb 18 for 10 days at a court in Sorna, Stockholm and the couple are represented by counsel Kristopher Stahre, he added.

According to Khairul, if the couple are found guilty they face two possibilities, namely a prison term of up to six years or be deported back to Malaysia.