KOTA KINABALU: All five teenagers charged with bullying 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir have pleaded not guilty at the Children's Court here on Wednesday (Aug 20).
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad confirmed that the charge was framed under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 35 of the same Code, for using abusive words against the victim.
If convicted, they face up to one year's imprisonment, a fine or both.
Nor Azizah also confirmed that a gag order was applied for by counsel Datuk Ram Singh, restricting the publication of details of proceedings in line with Section 15 of the Children's Act 2001.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus, who presided over the proceedings, set Sept 25 for next mention.
The court granted bail of RM5,000 each, with RM1,000 to be deposited, with one surety.
Zara was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
