KAJANG: The trial of Israeli Avitan Shalom, who is facing charges of possessing 200 rounds of ammunition and trafficking six firearms in a hotel room, will be conducted in English.
This was decided after his lawyer Jeffrey Ooi informed Sessions Court judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh that his client agreed to the trial being conducted in English if there was an accredited interpreter in the language.
“We have discussed with the accused and he informed us that if there is an accredited interpreter who can communicate with him, he is ready for the trial to be conducted in English,” Ooi said during case management held at the Kajang Prison Court Complex yesterday.
The judge set 14 days for the trial, from March 19-21, May 13-16, June 3-5 and June 23-26, Bernama reported.
It was the third time the trial was postponed, with the second on Jan 7 due to Avitan’s request for a Hebrew interpreter.
Avitan, 39, is charged with possessing a box of Shell Shock NAS3 9mm containing eight bullets, three boxes of Bullet Master Co Ltd containing 150 bullets and 42 bullets in three different weapons without a licence or weapons permit.
The charge, under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960, carries a prison sentence not exceeding seven years or a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or both if convicted.
He is also charged with trafficking six firearms – Glock 19 USA 9x19, Sig Sauer P3205P, Cougar 8000FT, Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9x19, M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA and Stoeger Cougar 8000F.
The charge, under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, provides jail of up to 40 years and not less than six strokes of the rotan if convicted.
Both offences were allegedly committed in a hotel room in Jalan Ampang, here between 6.46pm on March 26 and 6pm on March 28 last year.
