KUALA LUMPUR: Two Chinese nationals have claimed trial to charges of espionage and documentation in a restricted area after they were nabbed by the police for flying a drone in Wisma Pertahanan on Aug 6, Sinar Harian reports.
Both suspects pleaded not guilty after they were charged under Section 3(a) and Section 4 of the Official Secrets Act before Sessions Court Judge Izralizam Sanusi on Wednesday (Aug 13).
Judge Izralizam denied the duo bail and set Sept 11 for the appointment of legal counsel and the submission of documents, the Malay language daily reported.
Earlier, the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had reported, in a Facebook post, that the two Chinese nationals were detained for trespassing in the restricted area of Wisma Pertahanan, Jalan Padang Tembak, on Aug 6.
The CID said that the two suspects were detected by Military Police (MP) personnel conducting patrols in the area.
According to the statement, investigations found that the suspects were flying a drone in the football field near Wisma Pertahanan before they were apprehended.
"Police seized various equipment, including drones and several memory cards, and a search of their hotel room uncovered more drone equipment," the statement said.
It added that interrogation of the suspects revealed that the drone recordings were made on the instruction of their employer, but they were unaware of the purpose and objective of the surveillance.
"Police are also in contact with several international and local agencies to determine the background and travel records of both individuals," it added.
