PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal of 21 people, including Opposition lawmakers and a priest, accused of taking part in an illegal gathering by having a candlelight vigil on the first anniversary of Bersih in 2008.
Chairperson Justice Mohtarudin Baki struck out the prosecution's appeal on Friday, allowing the defence's preliminary objection that the prosecution had failed to comply with the court's directive to submit its petition of appeal within the time period.
Defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo submitted the preliminary objection, saying the prosecution should have filed the petition by Feb 18, 2015, but instead had only filed it on Wednesday.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lailawati Ali replied that the delay was because she did not receive a direction earlier on whether to file an appeal, adding that the court was empowered to give an extension of time.
However, the three-man panel, which also included Justices Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Zakaria Sam, unanimously agreed with the defence's preliminary objection.
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